Understanding the Long-Term Evolution of the Coupled Natural-Human Coastal System: The Future of the U.S. Gulf Coast (Oil Spill Prevention and Response and Deepwater Horizon) - Softcover

National Academies Of Sciences, Engineering, And Medicine; Division Of Behavioral And Social Sciences And Education; Division On Earth And Life Studies; Board On Environmental Change And Society; Ocean Studies Board; Board On Earth Sciences And Resources; Committee On Long-Term Coastal Zone Dynamics: Interactions And Feedbacks Between Natural And Human Processes Along The U.S. Gulf Coast

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0309475848 ISBN 13: 9780309475846

Publisher: National Academies Press, 2018

Synopsis

The U.S. Gulf Coast provides a valuable setting to study deeply connected natural and human interactions and feedbacks that have led to a complex, interconnected coastal system. The physical landscape in the region has changed significantly due to broad-scale, long-term processes such as coastal subsidence and river sediment deposition as well as short-term episodic events such as hurricanes. Modifications from human activities, including building levees and canals and constructing buildings and roads, have left their own imprint on the natural landscape. This coupled natural-human coastal system and the individual aspects within it (physical, ecological, and human) are under increased pressure from accelerating environmental stressors such as sea level rise, intensifying hurricanes, and continued population increase with its accompanying coastal development. Promoting the resilience and maintaining the habitability of the Gulf Coast into the future will need improved understanding of the coupled natural-human coastal system, as well as effective sharing of this understanding in support of decision-making and policies.

Understanding the Long-term Evolution of the Coupled Natural-Human Coastal System presents a research agenda meant to enable a better understanding of the multiple and interconnected factors that influence long-term processes along the Gulf Coast. This report identifies scientific and technical gaps in understanding the interactions and feedbacks between human and natural processes, defines essential components of a research and development program in response to the identified gaps, and develops priorities for critical areas of research.

Edition details

• Publisher: National Academies Press
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0309475848
• ISBN 13: 9780309475846
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 156