Land cover change and the impact
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Low-lying coastal communities are disproportionately impacted by climate change. Additionally, more and more people are moving to coastal areas, increasing the potential for climate change to impact individuals’ lives and livelihoods. Just like many other coastal regions, landscapes across the Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula (APP) have been continuously altered by social, economic and environmental factors over the past several centuries. However, landscape change across the APP has been notably altered in the very recent past. Between 1992 and 2011, urban areas across the APP increased by 3.1% while forest cover declined by 13.6%. The expansion of urban areas and the loss of forests across the APP mean many highly valued ecosystem services, such as water filtration and carbon sequestration, are being compromised. As coastal amenities continue attracting development, tourism and industry, adaptation strategies will be increasingly needed to insure the continued production of life-sustaining ecosystem services.
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Our ongoing conversation with landowners and stakeholders across the APP has revealed that community members are aware of the potential risks associated with rising sea-levels. One of the major concerns in the community is the level of salinity in fresh groundwater aquifers. As water withdrawals increase to support the demand from development and seas continue to rise, salt water is able to extend further inland and compromise the freshwater resources. Saltwater intrusion into aquifers has attracted the attention of residents, industry owners, local authorities and scientists who are committed to developing sustainable growth strategies that protect the freshwater resources supporting the APPs vibrant and culturally-rich communities.
Written by Georgina Sanchez
Written by Georgina Sanchez