Consortium for Atlantic Regional Assessment (CARA)/Mid and Upper Atlantic Region (MUAR) This project involves collaboration with researchers from Penn State University, Rhode Island University, and Carnegie Mellon University. The Centers role is facilitation of a case study of climate change and landuse change information use in Hampton Roads, VA. The project is intended to result in development of a climate change center that can provide web-based information of maximum utility to local planners and decision makers. The CARA Hampton Roads website can be found at http://ccrm.vims.edu/cara_web/index1.htm
Potential Response to Sea Level Rise This project was undertaken to assess the likelihood that coastal areas in Virginia, potentially at risk from sea level rise, would be defended in some way. For purposes of this study, coastal
localities along the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay shorelines were considered.
A Digital Environmental Sensitivity Map Atlas of the Chesapeake Bay This project generates an interactive map atlas where a collection of GIS coverages can be queried to provide information to assist with an emergency hazardous waste or oil spill incident in the Chesapeake Bay. The project identifies an initial set of coverages, develops the interactive mapping application, and delivers the application to a web site hosted through the Chesapeake Bay Program's Web site. The intent is to alert emergency responders to environmentally sensitive regions within the Bay in the event of an accident.
Effects of Sea Level Rise on Tidal Wetlands This project maps the anticipated loss of tidal wetlands habitat in the Lynnhaven River watershed attributed to sea level rise. The project uses remote sensing techniques and high-resolution imagery to delineate current wetlands distribution. High resolution elevation data generated from LIDAR will be used to compute the horizontal and vertical inundation due to sea level rise.
