Grantee Research Project Results
Beach Grass Invasions and Coastal Flood Protection: Forecasting the Effects of Climate Change on Coastal Vulnerability
EPA Grant Number: R833836Title: Beach Grass Invasions and Coastal Flood Protection: Forecasting the Effects of Climate Change on Coastal Vulnerability
Investigators: Seabloom, Eric , Ruggiero, Peter , Hacker, Sally
Institution: Oregon State University
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2012 (Extended to June 30, 2013)
Project Amount: $599,980
RFA: Ecological Impacts from the Interactions of Climate Change, Land Use Change and Invasive Species: A Joint Research Solicitation - EPA, USDA (2007) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Climate Change , Aquatic Ecosystems
Objective:
Increased storm severity and sea-level rise resulting from climate change have greatly elevated the risk of coastal communities to catastrophic flooding and storm damage. These risks have been exacerbated by alterations to coastal ecosystems and the introduction of exotic species. In the Pacific Northwest, coastal dunes protect about half of the coastline, and our initial results suggest that climate change induced sea level rise could double the frequency with which waves overtop dunes. Intentional planting of exotic grasses may have initially increased coastal protection from flooding by building tall foredunes parallel to the shoreline. However, an unintentional second invasion appears to be decreasing foredune height by 50% thereby increasing risk exposure. In addition, many agencies are removing exotic beach grasses to restore habitat for imperiled species listed in the Endangered Species Act. The effects of these conservation actions on flooding risk are unknown. Our objectives are to 1. Determine the effects of climate change on exotic beach grass invasion, 2. Determine the effects of exotic beach grass invasion on coastal vulnerability, and 3. Determine if conservation management alters coastal vulnerability to flooding under a range of climate change, invasion and management scenarios.
Approach:
We will use published climate change scenarios, remotely sensed beach topography data (lidar), and field experimentation to parameterize coastal process and vulnerability models. These empirically parameterized models will be used to forecast the risk of flooding in coastal communities under a range of climate change and invasion scenarios.
Expected Results:
Our work will yield an increased general understanding of interactions among the alteration of coastal ecosystem, species invasions, climate change, and human risk in coastal environments. In addition, we will conduct a quantitative vulnerability assessment of a specific coastal community in Washington. This case study will serve as a template for other applications of our models and data in coastal dunes systems worldwide.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 55 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 17 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
land, soil, sediments, global climate, marine, risk assessment, ecological effects, human health, ecosystem protection, indicators, restoration, terrestrial, aquatic, habitat, risk management, public policy, decision making, environmental assets, marine science, biology, physics, engineering, ecology, modeling, monitoring, surveys, climate models, remote sensing, Northwest, OR, Oregon, WA, Washington, EPA Region 10,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Air, climate change, Air Pollution Effects, Environmental Monitoring, Ecological Risk Assessment, Atmosphere, anthropogenic stress, biodiversity, ecosystem impacts, environmental stressors, coastal ecosystems, landscape characterization, climate variability, Global Climate ChangeRelevant Websites:
Progress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.