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Shaping the coast: Accounting for the human wildcard in projections of future change

Earth's Future
By: , , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.1029/2024EF004504

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Abstract

Coastal change and evolution are the product of physical drivers (e.g., waves) tightly coupled with human behavior. As climate change impacts intensify, demand is increasing for information on where, when, and how coastal areas may change in the future. Although considerable research investments have been made in understanding the physical drivers and processes that modify and shape coastal environments, many do not account for human behavior, compromising the accuracy of comprehensive future change predictions. We outline four social science approaches—historic case studies, simulations, longitudinal studies, and longitudinal studies supported by experimental data—that can be coupled with physical change information to support transdisciplinary understanding of future change. A fundamental need for each approach is more and better empirical data to better gauge human behavior. In addition, foundational investments in transdisciplinary collaboration help research teams support the integration of these approaches.

Suggested Citation

Lentz, E.E., Wong-Parodi, G., Zeigler, S., Collini, R.C., Palmsten, M.L., Passeri, D., 2024, Shaping the coast: Accounting for the human wildcard in projections of future change: Earth's Future, v. 12, no. 10, e2024EF004504, 8 p., https://doi.org/10.1029/2024EF004504.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Shaping the coast: Accounting for the human wildcard in projections of future change
Series title Earth's Future
DOI 10.1029/2024EF004504
Volume 12
Issue 10
Publication Date October 05, 2024
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description e2024EF004504, 8 p.
Additional publication details