Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network geomorphological monitoring protocol: Part III – coastal landform elevation models
Psuty NP, Schmelz WJ, Habeck AS. 2018. Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network geomorphological monitoring protocol: Part III – coastal landform elevation models. Natural Resource Report. NPS/NCBN/NRR—2018/1712. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
Monitoring the three-dimensional changes in coastal topography was ranked as one of the most valuable and feasible programs to implement for the examination of coastal geomorphology, according to a review of Vital Signs in the coastal parks of the Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network (NCBN). Whether caused by erosion or accretion, changes in coastal topographical landforms vary both spatially and temporally. Understanding these variations is key to early recognition of potential problems affecting natural and cultural resources in coastal parks. For managers, an understanding of the spatial and temporal patterns of geomorphological change is vital to optimal management of any coastal park because the interface of marine and land systems: 1) is highly dynamic and driven by multiple forcing mechanisms; 2) results in alterations to resource dynamics at habitat and ecosystem levels; and 3) can eventually result in the loss of static resources. The establishment of local, long-term monitoring programs provides metrics to help understand the processes and responses that are associated with the coastal evolution of the subaerial beaches, dunes, and bluffs within Areas of Special Interest in the parks. The Coastal Landform Elevation Model monitoring protocol will be applied within seven NCBN Parks. Monitoring will be accomplished with state-of-the-art Global Positioning System/Global Navigation Satellite System (GPS/GNSS) survey equipment that is used to collect high-density topographical data within areas of special concern to the parks. The areas of concern will contain high-quality benchmarks to be used as reference points for topographical data collection, providing a robust basis for long-term monitoring. Surveys conducted in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) will generate coastal topographical datasets for Areas of Special Interest that will be organized and assembled by a data manager into a national database for subsequent retrieval and additional examination. Three-dimensional topographical data will be utilized to measure and describe the beach-dune or bluff system, and attributes will be compared and analyzed in both cross-shore and alongshore perspectives. These comparisons provide information about the temporal and spatial changes of the Areas of Special Interest in the parks. The overall goal is to create a replicable means of data gathering that is efficient, adheres to scientific principles, and meets the management needs of the coastal parks.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Psuty, Norbert; Schmelz, William; Habeck, Andrea
- Date of Issue
- 2018-09
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- ASIS , CACO , COLO , FIIS , GATE , GEWA , NCBN , NRSS , SAHI , THST
- Keywords
- 2253970, 2254784, accretion, bluffs, coastal evolution, coastal geomorphology, Coastal Landform Elevation Model, Coastal Landform Elevation Models, coastal topography, cross-shore and alongshore perspectives, dunes, erosion, geomorphological change, Geomorphological Monitoring, Global Navigation Satellite System, Global Positioning System, GNSS, GPS, long-term monitoring, NCBN, Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network, Part III, protocol, SOP, subaerial beaches