CONCLUSIONS

The coastal vulnerability index (CVI) provides insight into the relative potential of coastal change due to future sea-level rise. The maps and data presented here can be viewed in at least two ways:

1) to identify areas where physical changes are most likely to occur as sea-level rises; and

2) as a planning tool for managing and protecting resources in the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

As ranked in this study, regional coastal slope and shoreline change are the most important variables in determining the CVI for GUIS. Wave height, tide range, and geomorphology produce little to no variability in the coastal vulnerability index. GUIS preserves a dynamic natural environment, which must be understood in order to be managed properly.