Coastlines are influenced by a complex set of physical processes. In addition, human response to coastal change is a result of complicated and often interlocking decisions. This project will develop a set of integrated models to better understand the dynamics of developed shoreline evolution under different geologic settings, climatological variables such as wave and storm influence, development scenarios, legal and regulatory regimes, and strategies for coastal protection or response. The models of the long-term dynamic interactions between development and coastal processes will be useful to project how developed coastlines may respond to future alterations due to sea-level rise, erosion, and inundation that are caused by changing climate conditions. Two examples from Massachusetts and the New Jersey coasts are selected as test cases since both have long histories of development and attempts at coastal protection that span different geologic and storm climate settings. The project will develop an ongoing short course that will inform coastal land managers of the major findings and applications.

A technical description of the project

This project will yield new tools and information to improve knowledge of the alongshore-coupled interactions among the geological framework, geomorphic processes, the economics of human shoreline protection measures, and how developed shoreline dynamics may change due to climate-driven exogenous effects, such as sea-level rise. Model results will be integrated within a realistic policy framework to offer guidance on economically efficient and sustainable ways to manage coastline resources at the scale of the littoral cell. The work will advance the state of the art in morphodynamic models of coastal evolution in response to climate change effects and the integration of geologic models with those of economic consequences and human behavior. The multi-disciplinary project team includes geomorphologists, policy and economic scientists, and legal experts who have an established history of successful collaboration with integrated geo-economic models of coastal evolution involving human interventions.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
1518503
Program Officer
Richard Yuretich
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2015-08-15
Budget End
2021-07-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
$1,799,958
Indirect Cost
Name
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Woods Hole
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02543