Construction setback regulations and sea-level rise: Mitigating sea turtle nesting beach loss

Fish, M. R., Cote, I. M., Horrocks, J. A., Mulligan, B., Watkinson, A. R. and Jones, A. P. (2008) Construction setback regulations and sea-level rise: Mitigating sea turtle nesting beach loss. Ocean and Coastal Management, 51 (4). pp. 330-341. ISSN 1873-524X

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Abstract

Global sea-level rise of up to 0.6 m is predicted in the next 100 years. In areas where coastal structures prevent landward migration of beaches, a major impact of sea-level rise will be a loss of beach habitat, with repercussions for beach-dependent organisms such as sea turtles. Setback regulations, which prohibit construction within a set distance from the sea, have the potential to mitigate loss of beach area by providing a buffer zone which allows for the natural movement of beaches in response to perturbation. The potential impact of a rise in sea level on 11 important sea turtle nesting beaches in Barbados under a range of setback regulations was determined. Three sea-level rise scenarios were modelled under five different setback regulations (10, 30, 50, 70 and 90 m). Beach area was lost from all beaches under all sea-level rise scenarios with a 10 and 30 m setback, from some beaches with a 50 m setback and from one beach with a 70 m setback. No beach area was lost with a 90 m setback distance. Sea turtles nest within a range of beach elevations and there was an overall loss of beach habitat within the preferred nesting elevation range with both a 10 and 30 m setback under all sea-level rise scenarios. Considerable variation in the extent of beach and nesting area loss was observed. The implementation and enforcement of adequate setback regulations have the potential to maintain the ecological and economic function of beaches in the face of extensive coastal development and sea-level rise.

Item Type:	Article
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Collaborative Centre for Sustainable Use of the Seas Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Promotion Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Epidemiology and Public Health Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Business and Local Government Data Research Centre (former - to 2023) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Public Health and Health Services Research (former - to 2023)
Depositing User:	Rosie Cullington
Date Deposited:	25 Feb 2011 10:54
Last Modified:	05 Mar 2024 14:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/24842
DOI:	10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2007.09.002

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