For my entry I was intrigued by an article published by NOAA on “climate.gov”. The article described how the city of Rhode Island was constantly having to close its hurricane flood gates so as to keep it dry after it RAINED. Clearly there was a geographic issue. I do not live in Rhode Island but the pictures from the article made it seem as if Rhode Island is prone to this sort of flash flooding because of it’s relationship with the coast. This made me think of how we learned about the erosional forces that can occur on a coastline. It is possible that perhaps the coastline has eroded away and now Rhode Island is gradually getting closer and closer to the waterline. I would like to pursue what technologies we are developing to help our living situation while also not being terrible for the environment. For example, perhaps some time of biodegradable barrier? What I have read hasn’t really changed any of my opinions but I definitely believe that people should be careful about where they build homes.

**https://www.climate.gov/news-features/features/rhode-islands-rising-tide**

An article on National Geographic titled “Rising Seas: Will the Outer Banks Survive?” discusses the uncertain future of the North Carolina’s barrier islands.  As temperature warm, sea level rises, and erosion occurs the once beautiful vacation spot is slowly disappearing.  The article states that the beaches on one part of Hatteras Island, Avon to Buxton, have receded 2500 feet in the last 150 years.  The picture below highlights how the shoreline has changed

 

Experts predict that some of the smaller, narrower islands, will eventually become little island remnants or shoals.  One of the reasons the barrier islands off of North Carolina are in such a fragile state, is man’s interference and stake in keeping them intact.  The islands formed an estimated 7000 years ago and in theory would evolve and move as conditions changed.  However, the natural process of sediment depositing, build up, and even flooding has not been allowed to occur because of human intervention.  Roadways, structures, and many other elements are keeping the islands anchored in place, and preventing the natural evolution of the islands.

Predictions indicate that the outer banks could be completely under water by 2100 and I wonder how this will affect the marine life in the Currituck Sound and the fresh water sources near the coast.  We learned in this week’s lesson the fragile ecosystems of inlets and bays, and how the salinity/fresh water balance is fragile and that small changes could have big impacts on the marine life in these locations.  Once the sea-levels rise and the barrier islands are no longer a barrier to rising seas, I imagine storm surge may have greater impacts on fresh water sources near the coast, and the life that depends on these fresh water systems.  The article discussed the huge economic impact that climate change will have on this popular vacation spot.  I do not believe tourism will be all that will suffer, locals will also see their food and water supplies change as sea water expands landward.

References:

Rising Seas: Will the Outer Banks Survive? (n.d.). Retrieved June 05, 2016, from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/special-features/2014/07/140725-outer-banks-north-carolina-sea-level-rise-climate/

 

This week’s focus on environments of coastal zones got me thinking about how development in Africa has influenced coastal health. I came across an article about Zimbabwe’s wetlands and the health of these environments in light of recent development efforts. For example, efforts are currently underway to develop shopping centers to serve local populations on wetlands. Not only are these developments likely to be structurally unstable in their foundations, but they also contribute to the larger environmental degradation that is taking place globally, especially in the developing world.

Harare, a growing city in Zimbabwe, is the site of concerns of environmental protection and development considerations. One scientist advocating for the protection of Harare’s wetlands suggests that, “We are not against any form of development, but what we are basically saying is that those malls or houses should actually be properly sited on higher ground. We are for development but on appropriate ground. Simple.” This scientist recognizes the economic significance of development in Harare, but wisely suggests that the decision to develop be environmentally conscious. Further, since Zimbabwe is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention, a treaty pertaining to the proper utilization of wetlands, it is important that they follow through with their commitment to sustainable development. Unsustainable development projects undermine the integrity of the Convention and raise concerns about future efforts.

As the demand for housing, businesses, and other services in Zimbabwe and elsewhere grows, concerns about environmental conservation also grow. I think it is important that the United States, as a global leader, sets a strong precedent for environmental preservation and conservation, so that emerging world leaders see the importance of preserving coastal regions.

References:

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/environmentalists-worry-about-zimbabwe-wetlands/2942401.html

Welcome to Egmont Key, FL.  This barrier island, just off  the coasts of St. Petersburg and Anna Maria Island, FL, in the ebb-tide delta at the mouth of Tampa Bay, is steadily washing away due to an extreme erosion problem on the westward facing, Gulf of Mexico side of the small island.  Egmont Key has a wonderful history in the State of Florida, beginning in about 1500 when Spanish Conquistadors first explored the area to where Seminole Indians were once detained during the Third Seminole War, where some members of the Union Navy were stationed during the Civil War, and where a large battery was erected during the Spanish American War in 1898.  Among the ruins of the battery, and through clouds of mosquitoes, the chains that once held the giant cannons can still be seen today.

Today, where parts of the battery buildings were once thriving, exists a undersea diving grounds approximately 20ft deep.  This particular portion of the battery at one time had over 100ft of shoreline in front of it, but is now 100 ft. off the shoreline and a haven for marine life.  Large cabbage palms that used to shade the island have been lost due to salt water intrusion.

In the past 1000 years, roughly 40% of the island has been eroded due to storms.  According to the U.S. Department of Geological Survey Center for Coastal & Regional Marine Studies, “examinations of vibracores and historical map analysis as well as the current dynamics of the island’s coast will be studied by monitoring modern processes and responses. These approaches will provide appropriate data to enable assessment of long-term changes on the island and details of the processes currently modifying the shoreline of Egmont Key” during a proposed investigation into the erosion issue impacting this island.  Below is a chart showing beach profiles measured during 1996 showing significant monthly loss:

Measures are underway to try to save what remains of this island, which is a National Wildlife Refuge since 1974.  Community action groups as well local engineers have looked into many different options to try to help stop or limit the amount of erosion that is occurring, however none have acted at this time.  Aside from beach re-nourishment, where the U.S. Corp of Army Engineers drop additional sand to the island every few years, not much is being done to save this little island that is a refuge not only for the birds, gopher tortoises, and giant mosquitoes on the interior of the island, but for 1000’s of families that take to the spot for swimming, fishing, sun bathing, hiking, picnicking, and bird watching.

http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/wfla/ofr/ofrmorpho/mo_link8.html

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025322703001774

http://egmontkey.info/

http://www.saveegmontkey.com/home.html

http://www.livingshorelinesolutions.com/In_The_News.html

I heard on the morning news a really interesting story about how the Louvre

Museum was moving their high profile art pieces like the MonaLisa, from rooms

that were vulnerable to flooding. So I found a New York Times article that had

the story. The article is called In Paris, Seince River Rises to Highest Level

Since 1982. I didn’t even think of Paris as a place that was vulnerable to

flooding, but with the large Seine River and enough rainfall, flooding can be

catastrophic. Flooding around this area can really hurt their economy because

Paris is a huge tourist location, and the threat of flooding can deter

tourists. As on June 3, 2016, the river has reached heights of 18.5 feet. The

river is expected to crest later on this evening between 20.7 feet and with a

worst case scenario being 21.3 feet. The city’s government has urged

residents to move valuables from their basements. Around the Eiffel Tower the

banks are now also flooded. People have moved out of their homes for the time

being, “because people don’t want to wear rain boots inside their own

homes”.

Heavy rains have caused flooding across much of France, and 20,000

homes were without power on Friday. Government has taken action and have set

plans incase of the worst case scenario was to be reached (21.3 feet). The

flooding has caused Germany harm as well, and at the end of the article, it

said that an estimated of 10 deaths are now attributable to the flooding. When

I first heard this story on TV earlier this morning, I couldn’t believe that

the river could have risen that much, where valuable art pieces had to be

moved. When I found this article, I was extremely shocked at the number of

deaths caused by the flooding. I didn’t even think that Paris could be a

place that was vulnerable to flooding in the first place. Paris is such a

tourist spot, that I know this flooding is really hurting France, and putting a

damper on peoples’ vacation.

 

Blaise, L., & Morenne, B. (2016, June 3). In Paris, the Seine Rises to Highest Level Since 1982. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/04/world/europe/paris-flooding-seine-louvre.html