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

Steven B. Scyphers, Michael W. Beck, Kelsi L. Furman, Judy Haner, Lauren I. Josephs, Rebecca Lynskey, Andrew G. Keeler, Craig Landry, Sean P. Powers, Bret M. Webb and Jonathan H. Grabowski
Additional contact information
Steven B. Scyphers: Department of Marine & Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University, Coastal Sustainability Institute, Nahant, MA 01908, USA
Michael W. Beck: Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
Kelsi L. Furman: Department of Marine & Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University, Coastal Sustainability Institute, Nahant, MA 01908, USA
Judy Haner: The Nature Conservancy, Alabama Coastal Program, Mobile, AL 36602, USA
Lauren I. Josephs: Department of Marine & Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University, Coastal Sustainability Institute, Nahant, MA 01908, USA
Rebecca Lynskey: Department of Marine & Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University, Coastal Sustainability Institute, Nahant, MA 01908, USA
Andrew G. Keeler: Department of Coastal Studies, East Carolina University, Wanchese, NC 27981, USA
Sean P. Powers: Department of Marine Sciences, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
Bret M. Webb: Department of Civil Engineering, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
Jonathan H. Grabowski: Department of Marine & Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University, Coastal Sustainability Institute, Nahant, MA 01908, USA

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 23, 1-11

Abstract: Coastal communities exist on the front lines of diverse natural hazards and the growing impacts of climate change. While traditional strategies for dealing with coastal hazards have often involved the hardening or armoring of shorelines, more recent research and practice have demonstrated the value and cost-effectiveness of “living shorelines” and other ecosystem-based strategies for coastal protection. To explore potential relationships among geographic exposure (waterfront vs. inland), shoreline condition (armored vs. natural), and hazard concerns, we surveyed 583 waterfront and inland residents in the northern Gulf of Mexico. We found that overall concern for coastal hazards was similar across waterfront and inland residents, as well as among residents with both armored and natural shorelines. However, concern for specific hazards differed across these groups. Waterfront residents were significantly more concerned about major hurricanes and erosion than inland residents. Conversely, inland residents were more concerned with drought and flooding than waterfront residents. Among waterfront residents, specific hazard concerns were similar between residents with natural and armored shorelines with two key exceptions. Residents with armored shorelines reported higher concern for erosion and sea level rise than residents with natural shorelines. Our results suggest that armored shorelines do not necessarily alleviate concerns about coastal hazards. In the context of balancing social and ecological objectives in addressing coastal hazards or adapting to climate change, understanding the perceptions and behaviors of coastal residents is essential for conserving and protecting coastal ecosystems along residential shorelines.

Keywords: coastal hazards; stakeholder decision-making; coastal management; hurricanes; climate adaptation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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