STATE OF THE COAST
FEATURE ARTICLES
What is state of the coast?
“State of the Coast” is an analytical assessment that uses the latest data to provide a snapshot of current coastal conditions, along with future-facing strategies and opportunities to create a more resilient and healthier coast on the North Shore of Massachusetts. The report is designed to be a guiding resource that can stimulate discussion, action, and engagement.
(Photo courtesy Sarah Rydgren)
Beaches
Beaches are fragile, dynamic environments that respond to wind, currents, waves, tides, changing seasons, and manmade shoreline changes. While resilient beaches, especially barrier beach systems, have coastal dunes and beach grass to soften the impacts, climate-driven sea level rise and storm surge accelerate erosion and threaten these precious natural resources.
(Photo courtesy Coco McCabe)
SALT MARSHes
With wide open views, natural beauty, and diverse wildlife, salt marshes are one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet. Their grasses, flooded and drained by tides, accumulate captured sediment and decomposing plant matter to form peat (accrete) and provide growing space for roots, allowing marsh to rise and keep pace with sea levels.
developed coastlines
Massachusetts coastal communities face significant risks from coastal storms, flooding, erosion, and sea level rise — challenges exacerbated by climate change. Adding to the threats is new and existing development, which can adversely impact sensitive coastal resources.
Armored Shorelines
Travel along our coast, and you’ll see any number of engineered shoreline defenses from seawalls and groins to jetties and riprap. These manmade, hard barriers are designed to hold back the sea — slowing erosion, reducing storm surge, tidal and wave impacts, and protecting oceanfront property and infrastructure.
habitats
Coastal habitats on the North Shore provide extraordinary ecological value, with more than 53,000 acres that are home to some of New England’s most beloved wildlife and many rare and threatened species. We have nearly 20% of the state’s piping plovers, half of its saltmarsh sparrows, most of the region’s seabeach needle grass, nurseries for commercial species, and tens of thousands of migrating shorebirds and waterfowl.
What we face & the way forward
We already experience the disastrous impact of climate-driven storms, flooding, warmer ocean temperatures, and erosion on the places where we live, work, and play. Time is running out to take steps that will protect our coast, and the latest data suggests that is not an exaggeration. We must act now.