Leveraging the Interdependencies Between Barrier Islands and Backbarrier Saltmarshes to Enhance Resilience to Sea-Level Rise

Barrier islands and their backbarrier saltmarshes have a reciprocal relationship: aeolian storm processes transport sediment from the beaches dunes to create build marshes along landward fringe of island. In turn, these exert stabilizing influence on barrier by widening system forming platform onto which island migrates, consequently slowing migration inhibiting breaching. Here, we present novel framework for applying natural interdependencies managing coastal systems enhancing barrier-island resilience. Further, detail application principles through case study design marsh creation project that showcases interdisciplinary engagement scientists, engineers, stakeholders, policymakers. Specifically, describe: (1) ecologic, sedimentologic, stratigraphic, morphologic data obtained southern 4 km Cedar Island (Virginia, United States) nearby tidal channels, flats, flood-tidal deltas, (2) use those develop an engineering plan construction high (46 ha) low (42 fringing located behind island, proximal former ephemeral inlet. Additionally, chronicle process used narrow five initial alternative designs optimal final plan. This involved balancing best-available existing science models, considering financial constraints, identifying stakeholder preferences, maximizing restoration benefits habitat provision shoreline protection. Construction this would: provide additional ecosystem benefits, slow rapid (up 15 m/yr at present) (3) hinder Ultimately, – presently permitting stage may enhance sea-level rise resilience lagoons, mainland town community; example science-based approach could be applied other global settings.