Tracking coastal change: SET deployment and carbon sampling in the Loire Estuary
Over the past few weeks, the REWRITE team has been busy on the ground in the Loire Estuary, one of our Demonstrator Sites. With the generous support of the Conservatoire du littoral and the Département de Loire-Atlantique, and in collaboration with partners across Europe, two exciting field campaigns were carried out to deepen our understanding of this dynamic and ecologically rich intertidal zone.
Monitoring sediment elevation
During two packed fieldwork days, our researchers identified a highly dynamic sedimentation site where, with the support from our colleagues from Trinity College Dublin, they installed a Surface Elevation Table (SET), a scientific tool that allows precise, long-term monitoring of changes in sediment height. These measurements are crucial in understanding whether wetland meadows in the Loire can keep pace with sea level rise and continue to serve as natural buffers protecting inland areas from coastal hazards.
Digging deep into carbon storage
Alongside the SET installation, the team conducted sediment coring to assess carbon storage capacity in the estuarine soils. With a strong collaborative spirit (and a lot of physical effort - it took five people and an enthusiastic assistant to drive the corer into the ground!), samples were collected in partnership with La Rochelle Université and CNRS (LIENSs). These cores will help researchers estimate how much carbon is stored in the sediments and how long it has remained sequestered—key data for evaluating the role of intertidal habitats in climate mitigation.
A joint science effort
Coinciding with the first equinox spring tide of the year, a joint field campaign between REWRITE and the FairCarboN brought together multiple research teams for an intensive day of sampling and analysis:
- Université d’Angers conducted microelectrode measurements to track oxygen and redox profiles.
- Nantes Université deployed benthic chambers and used multispectral and hyperspectral imaging to study biological and chemical activity at the sediment surface.
- Teams from EPOC and La Rochelle Université analyzed sediment carbon content and dating, as well as sedimentation rates.
This high-resolution, multidisciplinary dataset will feed into the wider REWRITE research framework, helping us better understand carbon dynamics and the resilience of coastal ecosystems under changing environmental conditions.
Bridging science and society
As part of the campaign, REWRITE also hosted a science journalism workshop, welcoming journalists from different countries and media outlets. Organised by Gabriele Hess-Fernandez, this session was an opportunity to share the project’s mission, fieldwork methods, and early insights with the public through the eyes of the media, strengthening the bridge between science, policy, and citizens.
What’s next?
The Loire Estuary continues to be a living laboratory for REWRITE, where real-time monitoring, carbon research, and public engagement converge. As data from these campaigns are analysed, we look forward to sharing more insights into how restoration and rewilding can support biodiversity, climate adaptation, and carbon sequestration across Europe’s intertidal zones.
Stay tuned for updates from our other Demonstrator Sites and follow us on social media for more from the field!
