Download Climate Change Adaptation in Nova Scotia`s Coastal Zone

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN
NOVA SCOTIA’S COASTAL ZONE
Kareina D’Souza, Mitchell Downton, Sarah Vermeulen
September 12th 2016
Outline
• Nova Scotia’s Coastal Zone
• Impacts
• Adaptation
• Adaptation Strategies
• Case Study
http://www.novascotia.com/sites/default/files/slider-photos/halifaxwaterfront.jpg
ATLANTIC CANADA’S (NS) COASTAL
ZONE
http://database.coastalcommunities.ns.ca/coastal_clusters.asp
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13,300 km of coastline
Diverse coastal ecosystems: beaches and dune systems, rocky shores, tidal marshes and
estuaries
70% of NS residents live in coastal communities
https://climatechange.novascotia.ca/sites
Coastal Zone Vulnerable Areas
Low- lying areas
Areas with with high storm surge potential
Areas with coastal infrastructure
Areas with sensitive ecology
Areas of rapid coastal erosion
Projections for NS’s Coastal Zone
http://thechronicleherald.ca/sites/default/files/imagecache/ch_article_main_image/articles/B97345812Z.120140718161540000G8A63ETR.11.jpg
• Projected sea-level rise in NS over the next century is 0.7m to 1.4m
• Coast is sinking (land subsidence) at a rate of ~0.2m/century
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON
COASTAL ZONES
Atlantic Canada Fisheries
http://www.ctvnews.ca/nova-scotia-lobster-fishermen-buoyed-by-big-catches-1.834540
Grey Seals
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/seals-blamed-for-lack-of-cod-recovery-1.1129491
http://www.fisherycrisis.com/seals/greysealhunt.htm
Grey seal habitat is decreasing due to an increase in temperature
Forests
Many tree species in Nova Scotia are
projected to lose optimal habitat
conditions due to an increase in
temperature
http://www.oplin.org/tree/fact%20pages/pine_red/pine_red.html
Bourque et al. 2008.
Wetlands
http://whc.org/project/ns-ehjv-wetland-stewardship-program-2011-2012/
http://avhs2.ednet.ns.ca/staff/wile/nsfog603-15a.jpg
An increase in storm events and saltwater intrusion will damage
these ecosystems
Heritage Resources
Aquaculture
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUbCupJWFSE
Ocean acidification and an increase in storm events will affect this industry
Coastal Infrastructure
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/coastal-erosion-threatens-cape-breton-homes-1.1205385
Can be damaged by coastal erosion, flooding, and storm surges
ADAPTATION
STRATEGIES
Three Main Adaptation Strategies
Protect
Retreat
Accommodate
Retreat
With this strategy, no attempts are made to protect the land from the
sea. It involves avoiding risk in order to prevent a negative impact
Most common mechanisms for retreat are:
• Setbacks
• Density Restrictions
• Rolling Easement
Land Corp. Institution
http://www. lunenburg.ca/lkms;wkasxharbour/DVD/81-l.jpg
http://www.bedfordbasin.ca/halifaxharbour/DVD/81-l.jpg
Accommodation
• Involves the occupation of coastal land while adjustments are made to
human activities and/or infrastructure to accommodate sea level changes,
and thereby reduce the overall severity of the impact.
Expand
sewage
infrastructure
Land use
changes
Boardwalks
Salt-tolerant
crops
Structural
bracing
http://catalogue.novascotia.com/ManagedMedia/14308.jpg
Protection
• Traditional approach that involves armoring shoreline
Seawalls
Revetments
www.livingshorelines.mahonebay.com/kareina
www.livingshorelines.mahonebay.com/kareina
Groynes
www.livingshorelines.mahonebay.com/karsdsds;las;,ls;Al,al;,aAL;,SJDFNOAELNMAeina
Hard Protection
Ecologically costly, as they alter the wave hydrodynamics and sediment
distribution of coastal systems
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Provides opportunity to non-native species
Should be used in areas where wave action is high
Design of structure should try and maximize habitat
Material of wall- natural stone is preferred
Should add complexity to the wall such as incorporating small crevices
http://image.slidesharecdn.com/shoreprotection-copy-150226031101-conversion-gate02/95/shore-protection-copy-17-638.jpg?cb=1424941941
http://i.cbc.ca/1.1888833.1380779537!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/li-ns-seawall.jpg
Soft Protection
Soft protection options include beach nourishment, wetland restoration
and creation, and vegetation strips
“Living Shorelines” allows the coast to change naturally
• Less expensive, both financially and ecologically
• Been proven to reduce erosion while limiting the ecological impacts and
providing habitat and water quality benefits
www.livingshorelines.mahonebay.com
Hybrid Protection
• A combination between hard and soft approaches
• Ideal for areas with more space but greater tidal
inundation
http://www.bedfordbasin.ca/halifaxharbour/DVD/81-l.jpg
IMPLEMENTATION OF
EFFECTIVE ADAPTATION
STRATEGIES
Effective Adaptation
Incorporated
with other
policies
Public are
engaged
Appropriate
decision
making tools
The planning
stage
accounts for
future
stressors
Living Shorelines
Ecology Action Centre is focusing
on living shoreline implementation.
Caribou Island – EAC 2014
St. Mary’s Boat Club – EAC 2015
Key References
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