Intertidal ecosystems are important because of their function as coastal protection and ecological value. Sea level rise may lead to submergence of salt marshes worldwide. Salt marshes can exhibit critical transitions if the rate of sea level rise exceeds salt marsh sedimentation, leading to a positive feedback between reduced sedimentation and vegetation loss, drowning the marshes. However, a general framework to recognize such rate-induced critical transitions and predict salt marsh collapse through early warning signals is lacking. Therefore, we apply the novel concept of rate-induced critical transitions to salt marsh ecosystems. We reveal rate-induced critical transitions and new geomorphic early warning signals for upcoming salt marsh collapse in a spatial model. These include a decrease in marsh height, the ratio of marsh area to creek area, and creek cliff steepness, as well as an increase in creek depth. Furthermore, this research predicts that increasing sediment capture ability by vegetation would be an effective measure to increase the critical rate of sea level rise at which salt marshes collapse. The generic spatial model also applies to other intertidal ecosystems with similar dynamics, such as tidal flats and mangroves. Our findings facilitate better resilience assessment of intertidal ecosystems globally and identifying measures to protect these ecosystems.

潮间带生态系统很重要，因为它们起着海岸保护和生态价值的作用。海平面上升可能导致全世界盐沼的淹没。如果海平面上升的速度超过盐沼的沉积，盐沼会表现出关键的转变，从而导致减少的沉积和植被丧失之间的积极反馈，淹没了沼泽。但是，缺乏识别这种速率诱发的关键转变并通过预警信号预测盐沼塌陷的通用框架。因此，我们将速率诱导的临界转变的新概念应用于盐沼生态系统。我们揭示了空间模型中即将发生的盐沼塌陷的速率诱发的临界转变和新的地貌预警信号。其中包括沼泽高度降低，沼泽面积与小溪面积之比，和小溪悬崖的陡峭程度，以及小溪深度的增加。此外，这项研究预测，增加植被对沉积物的捕获能力将是增加盐沼坍塌的临界海平面上升速率的有效措施。通用空间模型还适用于其他具有类似动态的潮间带生态系统，例如潮滩和红树林。我们的发现有助于在全球范围内更好地评估潮间带生态系统的复原力，并确定保护这些生态系统的措施。通用空间模型还适用于其他具有类似动态的潮间带生态系统，例如潮滩和红树林。我们的发现有助于在全球范围内更好地评估潮间带生态系统的复原力，并确定保护这些生态系统的措施。通用空间模型还适用于其他具有类似动态的潮间带生态系统，例如潮滩和红树林。我们的发现有助于在全球范围内更好地评估潮间带生态系统的复原力，并确定保护这些生态系统的措施。