Coastal adaptation strategies: Case studies
This summary report details 24 coastal adaptation efforts occurring in 15 states across the United States of America. This report was compiled to generate inspiration and dialogue among park managers and other coastal management agencies responsible for stewarding natural and cultural resources amidst the hazards of climate change. The adaptation efforts described here include historic structure preservation, archaeological surveys, baseline data collection and documentation, habitat restoration, engineering solutions, redesign and relocation of infrastructure, and development of broad management plans that consider climate change.
The case studies are the following:
- Rehabilitating stream crossing on historic roads;
- Reservoir water level change impacts on cultural resources;
- Incorporating climate change response into a general management plan;
- Relocating visitor facilities threatened by erosion;
- Collecting baseline biological and geologic data to understand coastal change;
- Cultural resources inventory and vulnerability assessment;
- Shell mound sites threatened by sea level rise and erosion;
- Reducing vulnerability of coastal visitor facilities;
- Relocating the lighthouse;
- Consideration of Shackleford banks renourishment;
- The need for storm recovery plans;
- Strategic planning and responsible investments for threatened historic structures;
- Developing sustainable visitor facilities;
- Incorporating climate change into Florida's State wildlife action plan;
- Lighthouse stabilisation design incorporates sea level rise;
- Restoring the Jamaica Bay wetlands;
- Developing a multi-agency vision for an urban coastline;
- Establishing alternative transportation to Fort Pickens to supplement vulnerable road access;
- Large-scale restoration of barrier island systems and cultural resource protection through sediment placement;
- Recognising coral adaptations to environmental stressors;
- Storm surge and sea level change data support planning;
- Preparing for impacts on archaeological sites and traditional resources;
- Restoring the Giacomini wetlands from agricultural lands;
- Eroding shoreline threatens historic Peale Island Cabin.