11 - Investigating Relative Exposure Index Affects on Living and Natural Shorelines
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Shoreline destruction and erosion are ongoing concerns in the Hampton Roads area, including the Lafayette River. A major contributor to shoreline loss is the process of wave attack, which is driven by wind speed, direction, and fetch. Because natural shorelines are highly vulnerable to these forces, municipalities and stakeholders are increasingly employing living shorelines to protect cultural and economic resources. These structures are engineered to buffer against wave attack through the use of oyster castles and elevated elevation profiles, while providing the ecosystem services and appearance of a natural marsh. To assess the impact of wave exposure, we calculated the Relative Exposure Index (REI) for five natural and five corresponding living shorelines in fall 2024, quantifying their susceptibility to wind-driven waves. We then analyzed correlations between REI, above-ground biomass, and elevation profiles to evaluate shoreline resilience. Above-ground biomass was estimated using stem counts, leaf length, and plant mass. Elevation profiles were mapped using a real-time-kinetic GPS system. We predict that shorelines with higher REI, indicating greater wave exposure, will exhibit lower vegetation density and reduced elevation profiles. Additionally, we expect natural shorelines to show lower above-ground biomass and a reduced elevation profile than engineered shorelines, which benefit from oyster castles that mitigate wave attack. Understanding these relationships is essential for improving shoreline management strategies, as shoreline degradation threatens ecological health, biodiversity, and coastal resilience. By identifying how wave exposure influences shoreline conditions, this study will provide valuable insights for future conservation and restoration efforts in the Hampton Roads area, as well as the rest of the world, helping to guide sustainable solutions for protecting vulnerable shorelines from continued erosion and environmental stressors.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Rip Hale
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Ocean and Earth Sciences Department
College Affiliation
College of Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Earth Sciences | Environmental Sciences
11 - Investigating Relative Exposure Index Affects on Living and Natural Shorelines
Shoreline destruction and erosion are ongoing concerns in the Hampton Roads area, including the Lafayette River. A major contributor to shoreline loss is the process of wave attack, which is driven by wind speed, direction, and fetch. Because natural shorelines are highly vulnerable to these forces, municipalities and stakeholders are increasingly employing living shorelines to protect cultural and economic resources. These structures are engineered to buffer against wave attack through the use of oyster castles and elevated elevation profiles, while providing the ecosystem services and appearance of a natural marsh. To assess the impact of wave exposure, we calculated the Relative Exposure Index (REI) for five natural and five corresponding living shorelines in fall 2024, quantifying their susceptibility to wind-driven waves. We then analyzed correlations between REI, above-ground biomass, and elevation profiles to evaluate shoreline resilience. Above-ground biomass was estimated using stem counts, leaf length, and plant mass. Elevation profiles were mapped using a real-time-kinetic GPS system. We predict that shorelines with higher REI, indicating greater wave exposure, will exhibit lower vegetation density and reduced elevation profiles. Additionally, we expect natural shorelines to show lower above-ground biomass and a reduced elevation profile than engineered shorelines, which benefit from oyster castles that mitigate wave attack. Understanding these relationships is essential for improving shoreline management strategies, as shoreline degradation threatens ecological health, biodiversity, and coastal resilience. By identifying how wave exposure influences shoreline conditions, this study will provide valuable insights for future conservation and restoration efforts in the Hampton Roads area, as well as the rest of the world, helping to guide sustainable solutions for protecting vulnerable shorelines from continued erosion and environmental stressors.