This focus area employs science and policy research and outreach that provide an informed basis for assessing the risks associated with living and working in coastal communities. This includes the development of strategies that will help us mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Specific areas of interest to Delaware Sea Grant include:

• Research aimed at improving forecasting of coastal hazards (e.g., storm flooding and inundation, sea-level rise) for decision makers and the coastal communities they serve.
• Partnerships to develop education and literacy programs focused on the impacts of climate-related changes on coastal communities.
• Programs that help decision makers adopt policies that will reduce risks, manage catastrophic events, and speed recovery.
• Developing and/or making accessible state/regional databases that support hazard-related planning.

Delaware Sea Grant has funded the following research projects for the 2009–2011 period:

• Validation of a coupled model for Delaware Bay and adjacent coastal region
• Sustaining ecological and economic services of coastal land resources during sea level rise
• The remote sensing component for the Delaware Coastal Observing System: A gap to be filled

For information about outreach and education activities related to this focus area, visit here.

For additional information, please also see our latest annual report.

Project: Validation of a coupled model for Delaware Bay and adjacent coastal region (R/ETE-17)

Principal Investigators: James Kirby and Fengyan Shi, University of Delaware

The dynamic nature of Delaware’s shoreline exposes communities, properties, and people to a unique set of hazards. As the coastal population grows, residents and structures become more vulnerable to storms and their associated wind, waves, erosion, and flooding.

Sea Grant scientists Jim Kirby and Fengyan Shi are working to refine a model that will help state officials predict storm surge and flooding, with the goal of saving lives and reducing storm damage. They are evaluating their model’s performance by assessing its ability to correctly forecast events at the mouth of Delaware Bay

For the full project abstract, click here.

Project: Sustaining ecological and economic services of coastal land resources during sea level rise (R/ECO-5)

Principal Investigators: John Gallagher and Denise Seliskar, University of Delaware

Along the coast, seashore mallow, a salt-tolerant plant known for its hibiscus-like blooms, may bring a whole new meaning to “flower power” thanks to work being done by Delaware Sea Grant researchers Jack Gallagher and Denise Seliskar. Along with graduate student Jen Halchak, they are examining seashore mallow’s potential both as a biofuel and as a viable crop to grow on low-lying farmland that is increasingly exposed to salt water.

With further understanding of the native marsh perennial’s many strengths, including its oil-rich seeds, ability to grow on non-arable land, and erosion-fighting deep-root system, Delaware farmers may soon have a new option for sustaining the ecological and economic uses of agricultural land threatened by sea-level rise.

For the full project abstract, click here.

Project: The remote sensing component for the Delaware Coastal Observing System: A gap to be filled (R/ETE-15)

Principal Investigators: Xiao-Hai Yan, Matthew Oliver, and Young-Heon Jo, University of Delaware

Description coming soon ...

For the full project abstract, click here.