Addressing Coastal Squeeze

Coastal squeeze (CS) is how we describe the process in which

• rising sea levels in combination with other factors (e.g. human infrastructure & activities), cause loss of space in both directions — land and sea
• the ecosystems no longer have the necessary conditions to maintain their essential functions

Most of the studies on this topic focus primarily on sea-level rise and hard infrastructure. We need a framework that provides a more comprehensive understanding of all factors contributing to coastal squeeze, to suggest strategies to assess the distribution and impact of this phenomenon and thereby suggest & support actions to mitigate & manage it.

DESCR =

• The Drivers–Exchanges–State of the Environment (DES) Cycle

+

• The Consequence–Response (CR) Cycle

In the first cycle of the DESCR framework i.e. DES, the dynamics and the elements affecting the ecosystems of the coastal unit are examined. The “temporal scale” of the drivers can be:

• short (e.g. hurricane)
• medium (e.g. El Niño–Southern Oscillation aka ENSO)
• long (e.g. sea-level rise)

… and are assessed at a local level even though the drivers may originate locally, regionally, or globally.

CR is about realising the meanings and available actions arising from them. Some examples discussed int he research are:

• modify the state of the environment by restoration and/or relocation
• modify activities of the community by regulation
• modify attitudes of the society by education and/or prevention

Any natural consequence derived from the DES cycle that does not induce negative, permanent, or chronic alterations in the environment (loss of habitats/species) is not deemed coastal squeeze.

How was the research funded?

Entirely by CONACYT-SENER-Sustentabilidad Energética project, Centro Mexicano de Innovación en Energía del Océano (CEMIE-Océano).

Courtesy of Researcher, you can read the full paper for free using this link.

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