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A framework for evaluating island restoration performance: A case study from the Chesapeake Bay.
Jenny Davis1, Paula Whitfield1, Danielle Szimanski2
1National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.
Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management
|April 29, 2021
Summary
Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) offer ecological and economic benefits for coastal protection. A restored island in the Chesapeake Bay demonstrates a framework for quantifying NBS performance and resilience to sea-level rise.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Coastal Engineering
- Ecological Restoration
Background:
- Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) like natural habitats offer coastal protection advantages over engineered structures.
- Uncertainty in NBS performance and long-term benefits hinders widespread implementation.
- Restoration projects require robust frameworks for quantitative performance evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a framework for quantitative evaluation of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) projects.
- To assess the post-construction performance of a restored island in the Chesapeake Bay.
- To inform adaptive management strategies for coastal resilience.
Main Methods:
- Restoration of Swan Island using dredged sediment to enhance protective and ecological benefits.
- Pre- and post-restoration monitoring of wave height, vegetative biomass, and island profile.
- Development of an integrated simulation model to predict NBS performance under various scenarios.
Main Results:
- The Swan Island restoration demonstrates the efficacy of combining natural and engineered processes.
- A quantitative framework for evaluating NBS projects has been established.
- The developed model will predict island performance and inform adaptive management.
Conclusions:
- Restoring island systems using NBS can enhance coastal resilience and provide ecological benefits.
- A collaborative, quantitative approach is crucial for evaluating NBS efficacy.
- The Swan Island case study provides a transferable framework for future NBS projects.
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