Coastal Habitats

Coastal habitats at the land-sea interface—estuaries, wetlands, sandy beaches, rocky intertidal— are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and it is through this lens that we will continue to examine impacts from urbanization, development, sea level rise, and other shoreline changes. These habitats are not only important for the organisms that depend on them, but they also provide ecosystem services to humans such as water filtration, protection from storms and flooding, groundwater recharge, and nursery grounds for seabirds and fisheries of economic importance. With added threats from rising sea levels, coastal habitats will likely face additional impingement in the future. Understanding how these habitats might change in the future will enable planners to make informed choices for their restoration, management, and sustainable development.