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National Shoreline Change: Summary Statistics for Vector Shorelines from the Early 1900s to the 2010s for Puerto Rico

Data Report 1191
Prepared in cooperation with the University of Puerto Rico
By: , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/dr1191

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Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) maintains a database of historical shoreline positions for the United States coasts derived from historical sources, such as aerial photographs or topographic surveys, and contemporary sources, such as modern orthophotography, light detection and ranging (lidar) point clouds, and digital elevation models. These shorelines are compiled within a geographic information system and analyzed in the USGS Digital Shoreline Analysis System (version 5.1) software to calculate rates of change. Keeping a record of historical shoreline positions is an effective method to monitor change over time, enabling scientists and resource managers to identify areas that are historically most susceptible to erosion or accretion.

The effort in this report represents an expansion of the USGS national-scale shoreline database to include Puerto Rico and the islands of the territory, Vieques and Culebra. The USGS, in cooperation with the Coastal Research and Planning Institute of Puerto Rico (part of the Graduate School of Planning at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus) has derived and compiled a database of historical shoreline positions for Puerto Rico from the early 1900s through 2018, with the goal of providing beneficial insight for coastal managers and communities vulnerable to coastal change.

Suggested Citation

Henderson, R.E., Heslin, J.L., Himmelstoss, E.A., and Barreto-Orta, M., 2024, National shoreline change—Summary statistics for vector shorelines from the early 1900s to the 2010s for Puerto Rico: U.S. Geological Survey Data Report 1191, 41 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/dr1191.

ISSN: 2771-9448 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgements
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods of Extracting Shoreline Position and Measuring Change
  • Results From Historical Shoreline Change Analysis
  • Limitations of Analysis
  • Summary
  • Selected References
  • Appendix 1. Digital Shoreline Analysis System Summary Output for Puerto Rico, by Region
  • Reference Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title National shoreline change—Summary statistics for vector shorelines from the early 1900s to the 2010s for Puerto Rico
Series title Data Report
Series number 1191
DOI 10.3133/dr1191
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description Report: vii, 41 p.; Data Release
Country United States
Other Geospatial Puerto Rico
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details