{"id":14937,"date":"2020-11-18T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-18T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=14937"},"modified":"2020-11-18T12:16:49","modified_gmt":"2020-11-18T17:16:49","slug":"coastal-climate-vulnerability-assessments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/coastal-climate-vulnerability-assessments\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Coastal Climate Vulnerability"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Our coasts are home to valuable habitats and beloved species. To protect them from climate change and understand how vulnerable these important regions are, Mass Audubon\u2019s Climate Adaptation Ecologist, Dr. Danielle Perry, PhD, laces up her work boots and jumps headfirst into cordgrass and salt water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Joppa Flats Education Center \u00a9<\/em> Jorge Galvez<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why Study Vulnerability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When a habitat is vulnerable to climate change, it means that it is at an elevated risk of suffering from climate change\u2019s impacts, like sea level and temperature rise. Analyzing a habitat\u2019s vulnerability is critical to understanding how well equipped it is to withstand these impacts, which then allows us to urgently act to ensure their protection both now and in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Perry\u2019s initial study is a trial for a series of vulnerability assessments that analyze the resilience of Mass Audubon properties to the various impacts of climate change. These first assessments examined the effects of sea level rise at five properties: Mass Audubon\u2019s Joppa Flats<\/a>, Rough Meadows<\/a>, Eastern Point<\/a>, Barnstable Great Marsh<\/a>, and Wellfleet Bay<\/a> wildlife sanctuaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breaking Down Methodology<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Dr. Danielle Perry, PhD<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

First, with the expertise of sanctuary staff and other scientists, Dr. Perry assigned the resources within each sanctuary a numerical score based on their value to wildlife, the sanctuary, and surrounding communities. Resources ranged from hard infrastructure (man-made) to natural environments (like salt marsh habitats).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, she used data available by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management<\/a> and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration<\/a> to project the effect that sea level rise will have on these resources by 2030 and 2050.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, Dr. Perry supplemented her projections with real-time field surveys that looked at the current conditions of salt marsh habitats, since salt marshes serve an important role in increasing our resilience to climate change. She observed cues that demonstrated how resilient the habitat currently is, its health, and how easily it could migrate (or move more landward) as sea levels rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Results<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellfleet had stable salt marsh conditions, with some evidence of disturbances like crab burrows that degrade the marsh\u2019s peat. However, this site is projected to be the most impacted by sea level rise out of all five sanctuaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eastern Point Wildlife Sanctuary in Gloucester showed similar results: a salt marsh with better current conditions than the other sanctuaries, but significant projected sea level rise impact, right after Wellfleet Bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Dr. Perry\u2019s boot reveals a low spot in the high marsh \u2013 a sign of peat degradation<\/em> at Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Then came Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport, one that stood out to Dr. Perry for a completely different reason than the previous two. This site\u2019s current conditions were among the most degraded: with low climate resilience and an ecosystem health score of five (out of 10).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary in Rowley is a little more prepared for sea level rise, with moderate climate resilience and a high landward migration potential. Barnstable Great Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Barnstable mirrored this finding, but with even less severe projected sea level rise impacts. This is because most of Barnstable Great Marsh\u2019s infrastructure is located upland, more out of reach of rising tides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where We Go From Here<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Perry’s preliminary results, while part of a pilot study, show us that even though all the sites will be affected by sea level rise, each has different levels of resilience. These findings will allow Mass Audubon to prioritize those sites most in need of urgent action. Eventually, we will use this data to inform land use and restoration project decisions at each of the studied locations. Our goal is to increase the resilience of our wildlife sanctuaries and reduce the vulnerability of the surrounding communities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Our coasts are home to valuable habitats and beloved species. To protect them from climate change and understand how vulnerable these important regions are, Mass Audubon\u2019s Climate Adaptation Ecologist, Dr. Danielle Perry, PhD, laces up her work boots and jumps headfirst into cordgrass and salt water. Why Study Vulnerability When a habitat is vulnerable to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":126,"featured_media":14938,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[178,181],"tags":[246,372,150,373],"class_list":["post-14937","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-climate","category-science","tag-climate-action","tag-climate-adaptation","tag-climate-change","tag-climate-science"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/1655JorgeGalvez5718.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-3SV","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7353,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/action-alert-support-climate-change-adaptation\/","url_meta":{"origin":14937,"position":0},"title":"Action Alert: Support Climate Change Adaptation","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"March 30, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Time is running out! Mass Audubon urges you to contact your Massachusetts House member today and ask them to support climate change preparedness legislation (S.2121). This bill, which would help make sure Massachusetts has a plan in place for adapting to climate change impacts, is a priority for Mass Audubon\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Advocacy"","block_context":{"text":"Advocacy","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/advocacy-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":15603,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/mvp-program\/","url_meta":{"origin":14937,"position":1},"title":"The \u201cMVP\u201d of Climate Adaptation","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"April 28, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Climate change impacts all of us. Along with sea level rise, we\u2019re seeing extreme weather, inland and coastal flooding, and severe heat at a greater frequency and intensity. To adapt to climate change means to prepare for impacts like these, and one way that Mass Audubon is acting is through\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Advocacy"","block_context":{"text":"Advocacy","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/advocacy-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/10.14.20-4191.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/10.14.20-4191.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/10.14.20-4191.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/10.14.20-4191.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15153,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/my-past-in-my-prologue\/","url_meta":{"origin":14937,"position":2},"title":"My past is my prologue","author":"Rishya N.","date":"January 27, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The first time I saw myself as a scientist was at a very young age, inspired by scouting. My two favorite merit badges were Nature and Environmental Science \u2013 but earning them took effort and time. I had to pick three different environments and observe patterns in them. I vividly\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Climate"","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/01\/Tom-2.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/01\/Tom-2.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/01\/Tom-2.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/01\/Tom-2.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11992,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/digging-in-to-the-latest-climate-report\/","url_meta":{"origin":14937,"position":3},"title":"Digging in to the Latest Climate Report","author":"Alexandra Vecchio","date":"December 4, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"This year, Thanksgiving weekend was filled with more than just food, football, friends, and family. On Black Friday, the Trump Administration released the Fourth National Assessment on Climate Change (NCA4), Volume 2. The report, authored by a team of more than 300 federal and non-federal climate experts, focuses on climate\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Climate"","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/12\/SnowyLandscape.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/12\/SnowyLandscape.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/12\/SnowyLandscape.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/12\/SnowyLandscape.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12844,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/moving-forward-despite-rollback-attempts\/","url_meta":{"origin":14937,"position":4},"title":"Moving Forward Despite Rollback Attempts","author":"Hillary T.","date":"June 25, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"If you\u2019ve been reading the headlines, you may be alarmed at the attempts by the current administration to roll back or halt efforts to curb the impacts of climate change at a federal level. Eastern Screech Owl \u00a9 Jason Goldstein First came the announcement of the intended withdrawal from the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Advocacy"","block_context":{"text":"Advocacy","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/advocacy-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Surprised Eastern Screech Owl \u00a9 Jason Goldstein","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/06\/4193Jason_Goldstein22792.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/06\/4193Jason_Goldstein22792.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/06\/4193Jason_Goldstein22792.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/06\/4193Jason_Goldstein22792.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10428,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/speak-up-on-climate-change-legislation\/","url_meta":{"origin":14937,"position":5},"title":"Speak Up On Climate Change Legislation","author":"Daniel Brown","date":"January 23, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"A key climate change preparedness bill is being discussed in the Massachusetts House this week and it needs your support. The Comprehensive Adaptation Management Plan (CAMP) will: Help protect people and wildlife from climate change Safeguard our infrastructure Set an example of responsible climate action for the rest of the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Advocacy"","block_context":{"text":"Advocacy","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/advocacy-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Wellfleet Bay","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/08\/dwp_mass-audubon_wellfleet_062717_008_600.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/08\/dwp_mass-audubon_wellfleet_062717_008_600.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/08\/dwp_mass-audubon_wellfleet_062717_008_600.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14937","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/126"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14937"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14937\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14955,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14937\/revisions\/14955"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14938"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14937"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14937"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14937"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}