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Climate Change - Upper Western Chesapeake Bay - Polyhaline (CB5MH)

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CURRENT COASTAL HABITAT COMPOSITION

  7.4 km² - Tidal Marsh
13.8 km² - Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
54.4 km² - Shallow Water
112.0 km  - Beaches

The Upper Western Shore of the Mainstem Chesapeake Bay is located in Northumberland and Lancaster Counties, with moderately developed riparian lands (37% developed & 6% agriculture) and 16% shoreline armoring (112 km of shoreline altered). Both counties have high average annual rates of permitted shoreline hardening ranging from 3.5-5.0 km/yr (0.7-0.8% of the shoreline).


COASTAL HABITATS SHIFTS WITH CLIMATE CHANGE

  • Shallow-Water and Tidal Wetlands - depiction of existing tidal wetland (vegetated & non-vegetated) and shallow-water habitat, with projected shifts due to sea level rise

  • Tidal Marsh Vulnerability - depiction of existing tidal marsh and vulnerability to inundation from projected sea level rise within 50-100 years. Marshes classified at low risk represent potential wetland preservation opportunities

  • Estuarine Beach Vulnerability - depiction of existing estuarine beach and vulnerability to inundation from projected sea level rise within 50-100 years. Beaches classified at low risk represent potential habitat preservation opportunities

  • Submerged Aquatic Vegetation - depiction of existing submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and projected shifts due to sea level rise and elevated temperatures

  • Vulnerable Developed Lands - depiction of existing developed lands and vulnerability to inundation from projected sea level rise

Link to map information and data sources