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Seasick: Why Value Ecosystems Severely Threatened by Sea-Level Rise?

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Abstract

Climate change will alter natural areas on a global scale within the next century. In areas vulnerable to climate change, scientists are regularly challenged to justify the resources needed for research and conservation. We face what may seem like a losing battle, especially in low-lying coastal areas where sea-level rise is predicted to severely degrade or destroy many ecosystems. Using sea-level rise in the low-elevation state of Florida, USA, as a case study, we argue that it is critical to remain engaged in the research, restoration, and conservation of natural areas threatened by climate change for as long as possible. These areas will continue to provide invaluable ecological and societal benefits. Additionally, uncertainty surrounding climate change forecasts and their ecological impact leaves room for optimism, research, and actions that are necessary for developing adaptation plans and mitigating further sea-level rise and other consequences of climate change. We urge scientists and particularly students beginning their careers not to forego research and conservation efforts of these imperiled lands but to face this unprecedented challenge with determination, creativity, and solution-based strategies.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the graduate students and post-doctoral researchers in Robert McCleery’s lab for valuable discussions regarding the premise and arguments that inspired this article. We also greatly appreciate the input from several colleagues who have dedicated their careers to researching, managing, and fighting for vulnerable species and ecosystems in South Florida: Mark Danaher (Supervisory Wildlife Biologist, Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge), Kim Dryden (Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Everglades Restoration, US Fish and Wildlife Service), and Tylan Dean (Everglades National Park). Finally, we thank the anonymous reviewers and editors for valuable input on various drafts of this paper.

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  1. Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, 110 Newins-Ziegler Hall, P.O. Box 110430, Gainesville, FL, 32611-0430, USA

    Elizabeth C. Braun de Torrez, Catherine F. Frock, Wesley W. Boone IV, Adia R. Sovie & Robert A. McCleery

  2. Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture Food and the Environment, Thomas Poe Cooper Building, 730 Rose St., Lexington, KY, 40546, USA

    Adia R. Sovie

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  1. Elizabeth C. Braun de Torrez
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  2. Catherine F. Frock
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  3. Wesley W. Boone IV
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Correspondence to Wesley W. Boone IV.

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Communicated by Kenneth L. Heck

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Braun de Torrez, E.C., Frock, C.F., Boone, W.W. et al. Seasick: Why Value Ecosystems Severely Threatened by Sea-Level Rise?. Estuaries and Coasts 44, 899–910 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-020-00850-w

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