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Property Owner Shoreline Modification Decisions Vary Based On Their Perceptions Of Shoreline Change And Interests In Ecological Benefits, Amanda Guthrie, Sarah L. Stafford, Andrew M. Scheld, Karinna Nunez, Donna M. Bilkovic

VIMS Articles

Even under current sea level conditions, many communities are working to protect their coastlines against flooding and shoreline erosion. Coastal communities often protect their shorelines against excessive erosion by using armoring techniques (e.g., bulkheads, riprap). Yet hardened structures reduce many of the natural adaptive mechanisms present in coastal ecosystems and reduce the sustainability of the coastal system. In contrast, natural and nature-based features (e.g., living shorelines) can better protect coastal properties from storm damage and reduce erosion while also having the potential to adapt to new conditions. Since property owners are installing armoring structures more often than living shorelines, we …