The dynamics between human and natural systems in coastal areas are crucial to understanding how communities and ecosystems will adapt to rising seas. Anamaria Bukvic and her team at Virginia Tech are conducting research to predict and analyze the potential for coordinated migration of social and ecological systems in the face of sea-level rise and urban development.
In the mid-Atlantic coastal regions, the threat of rising seas is a pressing concern. With more severe storm surges, sea-level rise, and land loss due to erosion, coastal areas are experiencing rapid changes. While many studies have examined the impacts of rising seas on natural and human systems separately, Bukvic’s work stands out for its focus on the coupling of these two systems and how their interactions influence their shared mobility.
To achieve their goals, Bukvic and her team are utilizing geospatial modeling to determine the extent and type of coastal squeeze in the mid-Atlantic regions. They are also identifying the local factors and policies that affect human mobility in flood-prone areas. By combining these findings using statistical approaches, they aim to identify the key drivers of mobility within natural and human systems and predict future scenarios of coastal squeeze.
However, the research doesn’t stop at analysis and prediction. The team is committed to engaging communities and stakeholders in conversations about the risks of sea-level rise and the possibilities of coastal relocation. They are producing tangible outreach materials to facilitate these discussions, including report cards with co-migration scenarios, geographic information system story maps that communicate the relocation risk of coastal marshes and residents, and 3D-printed models of coastal squeeze that illustrate the coordinated migration of wetlands and people further inland.
Bukvic emphasizes the importance of storytelling and visuals in sharing scientific data with communities. These tools help individuals understand the trade-offs of different adaptation pathways related to coastal squeeze. By providing communities with a clearer understanding of their flood and relocation risks, the researchers hope to empower them to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions.
In conclusion, Anamaria Bukvic and her team’s research at Virginia Tech is shedding light on the dynamics between human and natural systems in the face of rising seas. By combining geospatial information and survey data, they aim to understand and predict how communities and ecosystems in the mid-Atlantic coastal regions will adapt to the challenges they face. Through their outreach efforts, they seek to engage communities in conversations about sea-level rise and coastal relocation, providing them with the tools and knowledge to navigate these complex issues.
