A Waterfront View of Coastal Hazards: Contextualizing Relationships among Geographic Exposure, Shoreline Type, and Hazard Concerns among Coastal Residents

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Steven B.,Beck,Michael W.,Furman,Kelsi L.,Haner,Judy,Jose Scyphers (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: Coastal communities exist on the front lines of diverse natural hazards and the growingimpacts of climate change. While traditional strategies for dealing with coastal hazards have ofteninvolved the hardening or armoring of shorelines, more recent research and practice have demonstratedthe value and cost-effectiveness of "living shorelines" and other ecosystem-based strategies for coastalprotection. To explore potential relationships among geographic exposure (waterfront vs. inland),shoreline condition (armored vs. natural), and hazard concerns, we surveyed 583 waterfront andinland residents in the northern Gulf of Mexico. We found that overall concern for coastal hazardswas similar across waterfront and inland residents, as well as among residents with both armored andnatural shorelines. However, concern for specific hazards differed across these groups. Waterfrontresidents were significantly more concerned about major hurricanes and erosion than inland residents.Conversely, inland residents were more concerned with drought and flooding than waterfrontresidents. Among waterfront residents, specific hazard concerns were similar between residents withnatural and armored shorelines with two key exceptions. Residents with armored shorelines reportedhigher concern for erosion and sea level rise than residents with natural shorelines. Our resultssuggest that armored shorelines do not necessarily alleviate concerns about coastal hazards. In thecontext of balancing social and ecological objectives in addressing coastal hazards or adapting toclimate change, understanding the perceptions and behaviors of coastal residents is essential forconserving and protecting coastal ecosystems along residential shorelines.

Additional Information

Publication

Other

Language: English

Date: 2019

Keywords

coastal hazards; stakeholder decision-making; coastal management; hurricanes; climate adaptation

Email this document to