W&M > VIMS > CCRM > Research > Nearshore Ecology > Climate Change

Climate Change - Chesapeake Bay Eastern Shore - Polyhaline (CB7PH)

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CURRENT COASTAL HABITAT COMPOSITION

  45.4 km² - Tidal Marsh
  52.9 km² - Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
140.7 km² - Shallow Water
  67.7 km  - Beaches

Virginia’s Eastern Shore of Chesapeake Bay is a low development region located in Accomack and Northampton Counties. Shorelines were inventoried in Accomack County which consists of 12% developed riparian lands (80 km), 5% agriculture (35 km), and 3% hardened shoreline (18 km of shoreline altered). Both counties have low average annual rates of permitted shoreline hardening ranging from 0.9-1.3 km/yr (0.04-0.05% 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