Coastal armoring and sea turtles: Beachfront homeowners’ opinions and intent

Coastal Management
By: , and 

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Abstract

Florida’s dynamic beach-dune ecosystem and the structures built along the shore face threats from coastal (or shoreline) erosion, sea level rise, and inadequate regulatory protection efforts. In light of these threats, private property owners are choosing to install coastal armoring on their property to protect upland structures which can negatively impact sea turtles and their nesting habitat. Coastal armoring can significantly degrade the beach-dune ecosystem which serves as a vital economic and recreational resource and as crucial habitat for threatened or endangered sea turtle species, nesting shorebirds, and other endemic species. This study explored both Florida coastal property owner’s opinions of coastal armoring, and its impact on sea turtles and their nesting habitat. A quantitative survey was administered to beachfront single-family property owners that live within a mile of a protected section of beach (e.g, state park, preserve, wildlife refuge). In total, 373 of 1,274 distributed surveys were returned and analyzed. The presence of a neighbor with coastal armoring was the most influential factor on a property owner intending to, or already having installed coastal armoring. Additionally, higher assessed property values and lower levels of education were also associated with intent to armor, or current presence of coastal armoring on a parcel.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Coastal armoring and sea turtles: Beachfront homeowners’ opinions and intent
Series title Coastal Management
DOI 10.1080/08920753.2019.1669102
Volume 47
Issue 6
Year Published 2019
Language English
Publisher Taylor & Francis
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Atlanta
Description 17 p.
First page 594
Last page 610
Country United States
State Florida
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