Title: Climate change impacts on coastal ecosystems

Journal: Environmental Research: Climate

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/2752-5295/ad9f90

Abstract: As the planet undergoes unprecedented climate changes, coastal ecosystems stand at the frontline of ocean-land interactions and environmental changes. This overview explores the various climate-related challenges transforming coastal ecosystems and their responses to these pressures. Key climate-related stressors—including warming, sea level rise, ocean acidification, changes to freshwater availability, and shifts in circulation and disturbance patterns—pose significant threats to both the structure and function of these ecosystems. These stressors impact every level of biological organization, with modern responses manifesting as ecosystem degradation and shifts toward simpler, less biodiverse states—trends likely to intensify with ongoing emissions. Compounded by local human disturbances, these stressors risk overwhelming the adaptive capacity of coastal ecosystems, restructuring coastal food webs, and compromising the essential ecosystem services that currently underpin productivity, storm protection, and water quality in coastal zones. Future trajectories of change in coastal ecosystems will largely depend on the extent of future greenhouse gas emissions and human activities in and around coastal zones. However, critical knowledge gaps remain, particularly regarding the interactions among stressors and the nature of ecological tipping points. Addressing these gaps through further research will be necessary to improve projections of future impacts and support the conservation and resilience of these valuable ecosystems.

Title: Reconstruction of long-term hourly sea level data for Prince Edward Island, Canada

Journal: Scientific Data

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-025-04378-1

Abstract: Regional sea level rise has been regarded a key factor in understanding of climate change impact to coastal communities. As a vulnerable island to sea level rise and storm surges, the province of Prince Edward Island (PEI) in Canada lacks sufficient long-term island-wide historic record of sea level data. This has become a major challenge for further studies on coastal environments and climate change adaptation. To overcome this limitation, here we reconstruct a long-term hourly sea level dataset using the existing long-term records of limited permanent tide stations and short-term records of widely-distributed temporary stations. With comprehensive statistical analysis and modeling, the historical sea level records furthest between 1911 and 2023 are reconstructed with an hourly time step. This new dataset significantly extends the availability of long-term sea level data along with the shoreline of PEI, which can be used for further studies on coastal change assessment and coastal hazard adaptation in the context of climate change.

The following paper about the climate change impacts on coastal ecosystems has been recently accepted for publication by Environmental Research: Climate.

Guild, R., X. Wang, and R. Quijon. Climate change impacts on coastal ecosystems. Environmental Research: Climate, accepted on December 16, 2024.

More details will come soon once the paper is published.

The following paper about the impacts of Hurricane Fiona on piping plover habitat in PEI has been recently accepted for publication by Remote Sensing.

Guild, R., and X. Wang. Piping Plover Habitat Changes and Nesting Responses Following Post-Tropical Cyclone Fiona on Prince Edward Island, Canada. Remote Sensing, accepted on December 16, 2024.

More details will come soon once the paper is published.

Title: Coastal urban flood risk management: Challenges and opportunities − A systematic review

Journal: Journal of Hydrology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2024.132271

Abstract: Generational mechanisms and spatio-temporal evolution patterns of coastal urban flood risk involve complex interactions between climate change, sea level rise and human-induced factors, necessitating integrated adaptive flood management strategies to mitigate evolving vulnerabilities. This systematic review offers a thorough assessment of the challenges and strategic opportunities for sustainable adaptation in managing flood risk in coastal urban areas. It integrates emerging innovative technologies and financial solutions to identify promising approaches to implement mitigation strategies and improve coastal urban flood resilience. Enhancing governance and policy frameworks is crucial for the successful implementation of coastal urban flood risk management (CUFRM) plans. An innovative participatory planning framework is developed to promote flood management practices which are socially inclusive and equitable. Funding for green infrastructure and nature-based solutions and the strategic use of public-private partnerships are effective methods for advancing sustainable flood risk management (FRM). The advancements in emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), social media and digital twin technologies, provide dynamic and collaborative platforms for simulating flood scenarios and have potential to significantly improve CUFRM practices. In the end, a cross-country comparison of current practices in Australia, China, the Netherlands, the UK and the USA reveals a diverse range of approaches and valuable insights derived from regional experiences. The review provides a comprehensive analysis for researchers, policymakers and practitioners aiming to improve flood resilience in coastal metropolitan regions by learning from effective UFRM approaches that enhance governance structures, infrastructure resilience and funding mechanisms.