Global hotspots of beach erosion and accretion. (Source: Luijendijk et al.)

Overview:

Coastal land loss is a global issue, the causes of which vary by location. Though coastal changes occur naturally, human activities have impacted erosion rates significantly. Some examples of these activities include the introduction of invasive species, oil and gas infrastructure, and hydrological modifications.

Objective:

Identify specific factors that have contributed to coastal land loss.

Read:

Reference Material: "An Overview of Coastal Land Loss: With Emphasis on the Southeastern United States"

In this report from the United States Geological Survey, you will find a comprehensive overview of the causes of coastal land loss, both natural and human-driven. Reflect on the following questions:

• What are some direct and indirect impacts of human activity on coastal land loss?
• Review the webpage titled “Role of Human Activities: River Modification.” How do the benefits of river modifications compare to the costs?

Article: "Global long-term observations of coastal erosion and accretion"

In this 2018 article published in Scientific Reports, you will read an analysis of the global changes in coastal morphology. Reflect on the following questions:

• What solutions do the authors present at the end of the Discussion section? What are the potential issues for some of these proposed solutions?
• What communities do the authors suggest will struggle most with these solutions?

Deep Dive Article: "How Humans Sank New Orleans"

In this article from The Atlantic, you will read a case study on a community built on a river’s delta. Reflect on the relationship between human settlement and coastal changes with the following questions:

• How did the initial perceptions of the swamp as a source of disease impact the eventual development of the city of New Orleans?
• How has the relationship between “walls” and the structural integrity of New Orleans changed over time? How have levees and other human-made modifications helped and hindered the development of the city?

Watch:

Video (RT 4:59): "Salt Marshes vs. The Sea"

In this video produced by Cambridge University, you will learn about an experiment conducted to analyze the relationship between salt marsh grasses and sediments with wave erosion and coastal resilience. Reflect on the following question:

• What role do salt marshes play in protecting coastal land from erosion and natural disasters?

Video (RT 6:47): "How 'levee wars' are making flooding worse"

In this video from Vox, you will explore the concept of “levee wars,” and the impact they have on coastal communities. Reflect on the following questions:

• Which communities are likely to suffer the consequences of levee wars?
• In your opinion, is unregulated or inadequately regulated river modification an environmental justice issue?

Video (RT 7:18): "This is what sea level rise will do to coastal cities"

In this video produced by Verge Science you will learn about the effects of one factor contributing to coastal land loss on coastal communities. Reflect on the following questions:

• What impacts are major coastal cities expected to face as a result of sea level rise?
• Will the impacts on coastal cities ripple into inland communities?

Video (RT 15:18): "Combating coastal land loss, preserving resilient communities"

In this TEDx Talk presented by Karen McKee, Dr. McKee explains the science of coastal land loss, the implications of these changes, and the potential solutions to these problems. Reflect on the following questions:

• How does the coastal city of Jakarta compare to the natural mangrove forest in its response to changes in sea level?
• What does McKee say about the development of artificial sea walls as a reaction to sea level rise, and what does she propose as an alternative solution?

Explore:

Article: "The Coupled Histories of Flood Control & Land Loss in Louisiana"

In this report developed by Louisiana State University’s Louisiana Resiliency Assistance Program, you will review the intertwined histories of human development and coastal land loss in Louisiana. Reflect on the following questions:

• What role do flooding and flood control play in the history of development along Louisiana’s coast?
• To what degree do you think coastal land loss can be mitigated in Southern Louisiana?

Article: "Losing Ground"

In this interactive article produced by The Lens, you will explore a map of southeastern Louisiana to uncover the causes and consequences of coastal land loss. Reflect on the following questions:

• Only a portion of the region is protected from storm surge by levees. How do you think this might affect life outside of the levee system?
• Considering the potential economic impacts of losing significant portions of Louisiana’s coast, where do you think the funds for restoration and management should be sourced?

Click here to complete the quiz for this module.

What questions do you still have?  Where could you find out more?

Source: PC

Overview:

Mitigation is a critical tool in counteracting coastal land loss around the world. Techniques include shoreline stabilization, sediment diversions, and wetland restoration among others. In the following resources, you will learn more about our most important mitigation strategies and the ways they are prioritized.

Objective:

List and describe coastal land loss mitigation strategies.

Read:

Report: "Synthesis of Adaptation Options for Coastal Areas"

In this comprehensive guide from the EPA, you will read about a variety of mitigation techniques focused on reducing coastal land loss caused by sea level rise, stronger hurricanes, and other climate-based factors.  Reflect on the following questions:

• What are the constraints of introducing sediment to restore wetlands? (page 6)
• Review the adaptation options on page 11.  How does the fact that many coastal areas are privately owned impact efforts to mitigate coastal land loss? (page 11)
• What mitigation techniques are you aware of in your local area?

Article: "Mississippi River Diversions Could Save Louisiana's Drowning Coast"

In this article from Engineering News Record, you will read about the evolution of a massive engineering project designed to redirect sediment from the Mississippi River to specific areas in the delta.  Reflect on the following questions:

• What are the specific concerns about this project?
• What are the proposed outcomes of this project for SE Louisiana?

Article: "Mississippi River Diversions Led to Land Loss, Not Growth, Study Says: Implications are 'Obvious'"

In this article from NOLA.com recent research seems to contradict the idea that the introduction of sediment will help to build land in impacted coastal areas.  Reflect on the following questions:

• How does this article connect to the previous article from Engineering News Record?
• What lessons can be learned from the insight in this article?

Watch:

Video (RT 7:44): "An Introduction to Living Shorelines" 

In this NOAA video, focus is on case studies that have employed living shoreline projects to address coastal land loss.  Reflect on the following questions:

• How do living shorelines differ from bulkheads and rip rap?
• What obstacles might undermine the use of this mitigation technique?

Video (RT 5:53): "Dutch Coastal Maintenance with Sand: Naturally Safe"

In this video from Rijkswaterstaat, follow the cyclic nature of the beach nourishment projects that ensure that the Netherlands maintain their coastal integrity.  Reflect on the following questions:

• Would these techniques work in the coastal area near you?  Why or why not?
• What obstacles might undermine the use of this mitigation technique?

Video (RT 6:36): "The Problems With Rebuilding Beaches"

In this video from Vox, a deeper look at beach nourishment as a mitigation strategy shines a light on issues such as discrepancies in which beaches get nourishment and the illusion of protection this strategy provides.  Reflect on the following questions:

• How does this video connect to the previous video on the Netherlands beach nourishment initiative?
• How does environmental justice factor into discussions about which beaches should benefit from this mitigation technique?

Webinar* (RT 48:23): "Using sediment enhancement to build tidal marsh resiliency on Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge"

In this archived webinar from the Society of Wetland Scientists, explore a case study on coastal land loss and mitigation, the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.  From the presence of Nutria to sea level rise, the presentation outlines causes of land loss and responses that are being used to combat land loss in the area.  Reflect on the following questions:

• How is this case study indicative of the complexity of the fight to reduce coastal land loss?
• How should the concept of sustainability factor into decisions concerning mitigation projects?

*Certificates of completion for this webinar are available here.

Explore:

Deep Dive Reference Material: Coastal Master Plan PDF

In this comprehensive guide from the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana, find out how coastal Louisiana is addressing land loss through a Coastal Master Plan that incorporates a diverse set of mitigation strategies and projects.  Reflect on the following questions:

• Review page 66.  What mitigation projects are featured in the Coastal Master Plan?
• Review page 82.  What criteria are used to determine the suitability of a project?

Interactive Tool: Coastal Master Plan Projects Map

With this interactive map from the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana, explore specific projects designed to reduce coastal land loss, build land, and protect communities.  Reflect on the following questions:

• Find a marsh creation project.  Click on the Project Page Icon to review the details of the project.  What is most surprising about this project?  How does this project compliment nearby projects?
• Find a shoreline protection project.  Click on the Project Page Icon to review the details of the project.  How is the shoreline being protected?  How does this project compliment nearby projects?

Click here to complete the quiz for this module.

What questions do you still have?  Where could you find out more?

Darilyn Turner, Director of Zion Travelers Cooperative Center (Source: Darilyn Turner)

Overview:

When deciding on mitigation strategies, it is important to invite insight from a variety of perspectives. Though communities have a long history of advocating for themselves, they have often been met with resistance from governing bodies and public organizations. In the following resources, explore how communities are actively involved in today's fight against coastal land loss.

Objective:

Consider the importance of community involvement in the response to coastal land loss.

Read:

Report: "Managing the Retreat from Rising Seas"

In this report curated by the Georgetown Climate Center, you will explore 17 case studies on various communities’ reactions to sea level rise in the form of managed retreat. After reading the full report or a few select studies, reflect on the following questions:

• How do the Community Engagement strategies compare from one case study to another?
• Despite a noted effort to include community input in decision making, do you believe it is possible that certain perspectives were still left out?

Deep Dive Article: "Coastal Communities in Plaquemines Parish Plot the Future with LA SAFE"

In this case study on the LA SAFE project (also featured in the report above), you will learn more about the project from the perspective of Darilyn Turner and other community members directly impacted by coastal land loss. Reflect on the following questions:

• Why do you think community members in Plaquemines Parish might be hesitant to trust or get involved with a state project like LA SAFE?
• Was LA SAFE successful in implementing community input into its planning efforts? Would you have made changes to this strategy?

Community Field Guide: "Preserving Our Place"

In this Field Guide produced by the Isle de Jean Charles Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw Tribe, you will read about the complexities of community projects that address the threats imposed by environmental change. Reflect on the following questions:

• Review the Introduction on pages 6 - 8. How do the priorities of this Field Guide and its authors differ from those of project organizers in the previous articles?
• Review the section titled “Creating checklists” and the sample checklist questions beginning on page 37. How do these questions ensure the community is treated fairly and respectfully throughout the various stages of resettlement? Do you think someone with an outside perspective would be able to advocate for the community’s life ways to this extent?

Watch:

Video (RT 24:29): "Designing Future Coastal Communities"

In this episode of Voice of the Sea, you will learn about projects focused on community-wide adaptations for climate change and sea level rise. Reflect on the following questions:

• This video focused on the students, faculty, and scientists at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa’s School of Architecture. What other groups might be invested in the methods and results of these projects?
• Should certain perspectives be prioritized over others when developing a community-based environmental project?

Video (RT 9:34): "When Science and Stories Meet"

In this Tedx Talk presented by Madelyn Smith, you will learn about the importance of storytelling in humanizing the coastal land loss crisis in Louisiana. Reflect on the following questions:

• What makes the relationship between community members and the oil industry so complex in coastal Louisiana?
• What, in your opinion, can be gained from sharing more stories from those impacted by coastal land loss?

Explore:

Interactive Tool: CPRA Coastal Resilience Viewer

In this interactive map, you will explore Louisiana’s Gulf coast to view projected changes to land area, flood risk, and coastal vegetation, as well as vulnerability as it relates to social parameters within Louisiana’s coastal communities. Reflect on the following questions:

• Select the “Social Vulnerability” option in the menu to the right of the map. What social vulnerabilities appear to be the most significant in the face of coastal land loss?
• How can restoration and mitigation strategies take social vulnerability into account when fighting Louisiana’s land loss crisis?

Interactive Tool: Indigenous People's Resilience Actions Map

In this interactive map produced by the U.S. Department of the Interior, you will survey the resilience actions that are being enacted by Indigenous People throughout the United States. Reflect on the following questions:

• Explore the activity icons throughout the country. What is your opinion of the diversity of actions being taken by Indigenous People?
• The areas with an orange tint are Federally-recognized Tribal Lands. How might this status, or lack thereof, influence a community’s ability to facilitate resilience actions?

Click here to complete the quiz for this module.

What questions do you still have?  Where could you find out more?