National Park Service Coastal Adaptation Strategies: Case Studies

This National Park Service report reviews the successful implementation of coastal climate adaptation strategies through 24 case studies of coastal adaptation projects in National Parks. The adaptation efforts described include historic structure preservation, archeological surveys, baseline data collection and documentation, habitat restoration, engineering solutions, redesign and relocation of infrastructure, and development of broad management plans that consider climate change.

A sampling of the case studies found in the report demonstrates the wide range of adaptation strategies and successes presented here:

  • Preparing for Impacts on Archeological Sites and Traditional Resources, Olympic National Park, Washington
  • Shell Mound Sites Threatened by Sea Level Rise and Erosion, Canaveral National Seashore, Florida
  • Recognizing Coral Adaptations to Environmental Stressors, National Park of American Samoa
  • Restoring the Jamaica Bay Wetlands, Gateway National Recreation Area, New York
  • Restoring the Giacomini Wetlands from Agricultural Lands, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
  • Consideration of Shackleford Banks Renourishment, Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina

 

Integrating the results of these case studies, NPS published a Coastal Adaptation Strategies Handbook in 2016 to further support coastal area park responses to climate change impacts. This handbook reviews climate change impacts on coastal parks, identifies useful resources and adaptation strategies, and offers policy and decision-making guidelines.

 

Publication Date: November 25, 2015

Related Organizations:

Sectors:

Resource Category:

Resource Types:

  • Case study
  • Progress report

Impacts:

Go To Resource