April 2012

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Gulf of Mexico Coastal Resilience video

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Document on Coastal Wetlands

Marshes on the Move provides modeling guidance for resource managers and planners, describing the parameters and issues involved in using wetland migration models that depict the possible responses of coastal wetlands to sea level rise. This work is a collaborative effort between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Digital Coast partnership and The Nature Conservancy

Mounting evidence suggests that rising sea levels, coupled with related increases in storm surges, will increasingly put coastal populations at risk from inundation, storm damage, and saltwater intrusion. In order to adapt, decision-makers need access to information and tools that support choices for managing natural resources and protecting human communities. Without these resources, proactive solutions that reduce impacts and build resiliency for human and natural communities will remain elusive.

Coastal Resilience provides a framework that supports decisions to reduce the ecological and socio-economic risks of coastal hazards.

The framework includes 4 critical elements:

• Raise Awareness: Develop integrated databases on social, economic and ecological resources critical to communities and provide mapping and visualization tools;

• Assess Risk: Assess risk and vulnerability to coastal hazards including alternative scenarios for current and future storms and sea level rise with community input;

• Identify Choices: Identify choices for reducing vulnerability focusing on joint solutions across social, economic and ecological systems. Provide decision support including web based guidance and scenarios to assess options;

• Take Action: Help communities to develop and implement solutions.

Natural Coastal Protection is the protection of coastal lands and populations from erosion, inundation and storm impacts by natural systems. The Nature Conservancy and partners are contributing to the body of knowledge and case studies illustrating approaches to natural solutions (e.g., green, grey-green) around the world and improving the science of ecosystem-based adaptation (EBA) through reviews of the scientific literature on how and when ecosystems can help to protect coasts from hazards. Additionally, we are improving our understanding of how coastal communities depend on resources, and costs and benefits of appropriate EBA situations.

For more information on Coastal Resilience go to our Frequently Asked Questions

Oyster Reef © Mat Squillante

Hurricane Carol in Old Lyme, CT © American Red Cross, National Weather Service