Shore Zone Characterization for Climate Change Adaptation in the Bay of Fundy
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Atlantic Climate Adaptation Solutions Association Solutions d'adaptation aux changements climatiques pour l'Atlantique Shore Zone Characterization for Climate Change Adaptation in the Bay of Fundy By Barbara Pietersma-Perrott and Dr. Danika van Proosdij Maritime Provinces Spatial Analysis Research Unit Department of Geography Saint Mary’s University Halifax, NS Shore Zone Characterization [ACAS FINAL REPORT ] Report prepared by: Dr. Danika van Proosdij and Barbara Pietersma-Perrott from the Department of Geography and Maritime Spatial Analysis Research Centre at Saint Mary’s University and commissioned by the Atlantic Climate Solutions Association (ACASA), a non-profit organization formed to coordinate project management and planning for climate change adaptation initiatives in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador and supported through the Regional Adaptation Collaborative, a joint undertaking between the Atlantic Provinces, Natural Resources Canada and regional municipalities and other partners. Project Management: Climate Change Directorate, Nova Scotia Department of Environment, P O Box 442, Halifax, NS B3J 2P8 Acknowledgements: Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources (NSDNR) Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture – Resource Stewardship Land Protection Maritime Provinces Spatial Analysis Research Centre (MP_SpARC) Saint Mary’s University Applied Geomatics Research Group (AGRG) Disclaimer: This publication is not to be used without permission, and any unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. ACASA, the authors, the province of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Regional Adaptation Collaborative are not responsible for any unauthorized use that may be made of the information contained within. The opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of ACASA, its associated provinces, or other partners of the Regional Adaptation Collaborative. Saint Saint Mary’s University – Pietersma - Perrott & van Proosdij Page 2 Shore Zone Characterization [ACAS FINAL REPORT ] Executive Summary Human settlement in environments as dynamic as the coastal zone will inevitably lead to conflict between the natural variability of the coastal environment and the economic, social and cultural activities taking place within it. Climate change, notably sea level rise and large storm events will increase the vulnerability of coastal communities to coastal erosion and flooding, magnifying these conflicts. The capacity of coastal communities to adapt to climate change is directly linked to the availability of physical space and shoreline stability to allow such adaptation to take place. Maladaptive solutions (e.g. hard armouring a shoreline or rebuilding at the edge of a cliff) can exacerbate a community’s vulnerability. In order to mitigate potential negative impacts (e.g. loss of life and infrastructure), managers and planners need to better understand coastal processes and dynamics and choose adaptation responses that are appropriate for their local conditions. This requires up to date shore zone characterization including built structures and a solid understanding of the boundaries of coastal processes and historical rates of coastal change. This knowledge will improve the resilience of Atlantic Canadians to adapt to climate change, one of the central tenants of the ACAS project. The purpose of this project was to develop an integrative GIS geodatabase of coastal zone characteristics including geomorphology, elevation, slope, vegetation, exposure, erodibility and built features as well as assessing areas of shoreline at continued risk of erosion with the Fundy ACAS study sites. This project serves as the foundation to address one of the goals of the ACAS program by “assessing the risks and vulnerabilities of select coastal communities in order to inform adaptation decision making at the local level” ( www.atlanticadaptation.ca ) which are discussed in greater detail in a series of companion reports. These include: van Proosdij & Pietersma-Perrott Best Management Practices for Climate Change Adaptation in Dykelands , Pietersma-Perrott & van Proosdij Marshland Atlas, and two MSc in Applied Science projects with associated reports: Tibbetts & van Proosdij A Relative Vulnerability Assessment Tool for Macrotidal Environments and Fedak & van Proosdij Hydrodynamic Flood Modelling within Fundy Dykelands: Windsor Case Study. Excerpts from these projects are provided within this report to illustrate the utility of the shore zone characterization for vulnerability assessment and climate change adaptation planning. A segmentation model was developed within ArcGIS 10.0 to delineate and characterize the backshore, foreshore and nearshore zones within the Cumberland Basin and Southern Bight of the Minas Basin (Avon River and Cornwallis River Estuaries) in the Bay of Fundy, Canada. Multiple rather than one single static shoreline were chosen to reflect the hyper-tidal conditions (>14m tides). This was populated with data collected during shoreline surveys using an integrated field GIS/GPS tablet with geotag enabled camera. A total of 185 km were mapped in this manner and the remaining 329 km were characterized using all available aerial imagery for the region. Segments were catalogued using a customized decision key to characterize the shoreline. Areas of the coast were assessed for shore composition, shoreline stability, presence or absence of a cliff (consolidated and unconsolidated) and anthropogenic structures. Between 34 to 51% of the coastline in the Cumberland Basin and Southern Bight respectively are dyked. However a larger proportion (35%) of these dykes are armoured in the Southern Bight than in the Cumberland study area (18%). The lower foreshore is primarily salt marsh in both areas with 10% of this shoreline in the Southern Bight heavily eroding and 37% partially stabilized with some evidence of erosion. In the Cumberland Basin, only 0.4% was observed to be actively eroding while 48% is partially stabilized. In both areas, abandoned aboiteaux and culverts were found that were not previously identified which would affect vulnerability mapping and planning for EMO. These data will be used to guide decision making with the Fundy ACAS study sites, particularly related to the need for additional shore protection and areas at risk. As mentioned previously, these data also serve as the foundation for detailed vulnerability assessments and adaptation planning. Although this report focuses on the Fundy ACAS sites, the methods used and classification system developed were also used by the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources (NSDNR) to characterize the Lunenburg and Yarmouth ACAS sites. A total of twenty-two 1:10,000 map sheets were published for the Fundy RAC areas in collaboration with NSDNR and full GIS databases were provided to Municipal and Provincial policy and decision makers. These new databases are providing a critical and accurate foundation for delineation of set-backs, zoning or development decisions and identification of Saint Saint Mary’s University – Pietersma - Perrott & van Proosdij Page 3 Shore Zone Characterization [ACAS FINAL REPORT ] vulnerable areas that otherwise did not previously exist. In addition, the 1:10,000 base maps produced can serve as foundations for community mapping and visioning exercises for climate change land use planning. Examples are provided for the application of the shore zone classification system and include an assessment of dyke erosion in all areas, flood hazard assessment in Windsor, NS and a relative coastal vulnerability assessment in the Cornwallis Estuary. This project is part of the Atlantic Regional Adaptation Collaborative (RAC) Program of the Atlantic Climate Adaptation Solutions Association (ACASA). It was completed within the Maritime Provinces Spatial Analysis Research Centre (MP_SpARC) with collaboration from the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources (NSDNR). The final product includes maps of the study area and an Internet Map Service (IMS). Saint Saint Mary’s University – Pietersma - Perrott & van Proosdij Page 4 Shore Zone Characterization [ACAS FINAL REPORT ] Table of Contents Acknowledgements: .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 List of Tables and Figures .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Acronyms ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Rationale and Objectives ...............................................................................................................................................................................................