Designing Dynamic Change: an Intersection between Bird Habitat, Barrier Island Migration, and Human Transportation
Human coastal recreation and land-use conflicts with shorebirds are being exacerbated by climate change and sea-level rise. In North Carolina, the sea level is expected to rise between 0.3 and 1.1 meters. In response to sea-level rise, barrier islands, the dynamic ecosystems built and altered by storm and overwash, are migrating west toward the mainland.
This project focused on the habitat creation of four representative coastal birds – American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus), Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus), Saltmarsh Sparrow (Ammospiza maritima), and Sanderling (Calidris alba) that inhabit different part of the barrier island. Leveraging the natural process of barrier island migration with an engineering approach. Confined dredge disposal facilities will be installed at the estuarine side of the barrier island to stimulate the establishment of salt marsh, which is usually slower than the rate of sea-level and barrier island migration. Together with the dredging of navigational channels, boats and ferries are reintroduced in this area to replace the highly vulnerable highway and bridge.
Advisers/Committee
