Understanding the Long-Term Evolution of the Coupled Natural-Human Coastal System The Future of the U.S. Gulf Coast (2018) / Chapter Skim
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5 Defining a Research Agenda: Priorities to Increase Understanding of Long-Term Coastal Zone Dynamics
5 Defining a Research Agenda: Priorities to Increase Understanding of Long-Term Coastal Zone Dynamics
Pages 97-110
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(see Box 1.1) , the committee identified key high-priority research gaps that reflect the need for better understanding of critical physical, ecological, and human processes in the coastal system (see Chapter 3)
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, especially given the expectation for continued relative sea level rise acceleration? • Critical Area 2: How will human settlement and economic activity along the Gulf Coast respond to evolving coastal landforms and ecosystems under rapidly chang ing conditions?
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timescale will require improved understanding and capability to project relative sea level rise and changes in episodic events, the coastal responses to these processes, and the ways that humans respond to and influence these processes. This type of research and development program will be most successful if it focuses on the interactions and feedbacks critical to evolution of the coupled coastal system; is carried out by collaborative, multidisciplinary research teams; supports comprehensive, Gulf Coast-wide, fully integrated modeling and observational efforts; encourages longitudinal, multi-decadal research; produces easily accessible observational data and model results; and is coordinated at a high level.
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Environmental Protection Agency, states, and local decision makers, the program enables regional coordination to help reduce chronic water pollution challenges and support ecosystem restoration in and around the Chesapeake Bay (Chesapeake Bay Program, 1983)
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For instance, new and existing observational programs could be employed with in situ physical and chemical sensors, remote sensing, ecological collections, and data surveys. Data are also needed to assess the impacts of sea level rise and changes in air temperature, rainfall, and rainfall frequency.
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Likewise, developing models using open source platforms and sharing newly developed components soon after they are vetted will extend their impact beyond the originators, facilitating their use and application. High-Level Coordination Management of a research and development program that includes efforts that are Gulf Coast-wide and longitudinal, contains highly integrated modeling and observational components, and emphasizes interactions and feedbacks between the natural and human 1 Longitudinal studies collect repeated observational data on cross-sectional units (e.g., individuals, groups of people, cities)
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, particularly given the potential impacts of episodic extreme events in combination with relative sea level rise (Research Gap 3) and the effects of human modifications to the coastal zone (Research Gaps 9 to 12)
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Anticipated changes to coastal landforms and ecosystems will significantly impact human settlement and the built environment. A deeper understanding of the interactions and feedbacks between the built environment and the natural system (Research Gaps 9 and 10)
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Another example is how the commercial and recreational fishing industries would adapt to major losses in nursery habitat if continued wetland loss and relative sea level rise led to the loss of barrier island systems. Moreover, the built environment could change dramatically as new adaptation strategies and technologies emerge and ways of living in the coastal zone evolve.
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. BARRIERS TO AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION Addressing the research gaps identified earlier in this chapter will substantially advance understanding of the coupled natural-human system of the Gulf Coast and help identify salient feedbacks between humans and their environment in the face of climate change.
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Barrier 2. Many scientific products that are intended to help inform decision making are not tailored to stakeholders' specific needs.
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The size and complexity of the energy industry, as well as apparent limitations to information sharing, present a barrier to effective communication between the energy industry and other stakeholders. Opportunity 3.
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To progressively build trust and forge strong collaborations, workshops, personnel exchanges, and symposia could be used to initiate communication and discussions among Gulf Coast stakeholders, Gulf Coast based scientists, and scientists from outside the Gulf Coast who have relevant research interests and expertise. The physical and ecological systems, people, and economy in the Gulf Coast are inextricably linked.
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It also underlines the importance of effective communication between scientists and stakeholders in promoting informed decision making in the coastal zone. While changing environmental conditions present challenges to coastal communities, there is also a great opportunity for groundbreaking research and innovation, which may lead to a re-envisioning of what it means to live along the Gulf Coast.
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