Document Type
Proposal
Publication Date
Spring 4-28-2025
Department
Biological & Environmental Sciences
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Ravi Darwin Sankar
Abstract
As increased climate variability continues to alter the environment, coastal landscapes are becoming increasingly vulnerable to geomorphic change. Coastal erosion, driven by rising sea levels, land subsidence, more intense storm events and human-induced activities poses a serious threat to the sustainability and resilience of island environments like Smith Island, a small marsh island located in the Chesapeake Bay. This study investigates the impacts of recent shoreline change along selected alongshore segments of the island’s coast. Using a combination of aerial imagery, field surveying techniques, and novel geospatial analyses, the project aims to identify areas at highest risk of erosion and assess the potential for future strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Recommended Citation
Lacy, Sarah and Sankar, Ravi, "Quantifying the Rates of Coastal Change along Smith Island, Maryland" (2025). Longwood Senior Thesis Proposal. 20.
https://digitalcommons.longwood.edu/senior_thesis_proposals/20
