Long, J.H.; Hanebuth, T.J.J.; Durica, J.T., and Hawkes, A.D., 2024. Late Holocene stratigraphy and sedimentary facies distribution of an anthropogenically modified delta plain (Santee River Delta, South Carolina, U.S.A.). Journal of Coastal Research, 40(4), 623–646. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208.

The Santee River of South Carolina has the second largest watershed in the eastern United States and forms the largest river-fed delta along the U.S. east coast. Anthropogenic modifications to the delta plain of the Santee River, and in many coastal environments within the region, have significantly altered the natural configurations of floodplains, channels, and shorelines. This study incorporated historic and modern state-of-the-art data sets and methods to evaluate the sediment distribution within the modern delta plain as well as the record of environmental change throughout the late Holocene as it is preserved within the subsurface stratigraphy. The study incorporated high-resolution seismo-acoustic and bathymetric data, detailed sediment core analysis, accelerator mass spectrometry ¹⁴C dating, micropaleontological analysis, and surface sediment samples to define geomorphic zones based on dominant depositional processes related to fluvial discharge, tides, and waves. Tidal- and wave-influenced conditions were established in the delta plain by around 3 kyr BP and continued into historic times, when the construction of rice fields across most of the delta plain fixed channel positions and isolated floodplains from flood-related sedimentation. Sediment distribution in the modern delta plain is significantly influenced by the maintained network of artificial canals and embankments associated with these historic fields. The influence of these modifications can also be seen within the stratigraphy beneath the delta plain, recording local changes in deposition and erosion that resulted from a modification in water circulation and sediment supply.

Brett, J.; Samuell, M.; Augstein, B.; Parra, S.; Hancock, E.; Saunders, C.; Wunsch, S.; Winstead, N., and Boothby, J., 2024. Nature-based coastal protection: Measuring and modeling flow reduction by oysters. Journal of Coastal Research, 40(4), 647–660. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208.

Natural coastal infrastructure protects coast lines from climate hazard impacts, such as erosion and flooding. Laboratory and modeling studies presented here examine the utility of oyster reefs as a form of natural coastal protection. Oyster reefs are known to provide both water quality improvements and erosion protection. Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of oysters on flow parameters in a recirculating flow channel. A cage of eastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica, was placed in the flow channel, blocking a portion of the flow, to imitate cultured oysters in the ocean. Particle image velocimetry was used to measure the flow behind the oyster cage to examine the impact of the oysters compared with a control test with an empty cage. Average velocities were reduced by 15%, with velocities directly behind the cage reduced 70% in fresh water and reversed in salt water. A setup similar to the laboratory experiments was simulated in a Coupled Ocean–Atmospheric–Wave–Sediment Transport (COAWST) model. In the COAWST model, the oyster reef was simulated as stiff vegetation with a drag coefficient of 8, reproducing the 70% reduction measured in the lab experiments. Finally, a regional model is presented, which demonstrates the impact of an oyster reef on waves and currents at a larger scale with a drag coefficient of 1.5, the highest numerically stable value found. Within the oyster vegetation patch, depth-averaged currents were reduced 14% and bottom currents were reduced 97%. Significant wave heights were reduced by 62% above the reef and 23% shoreward of the reef. The results here suggest that regional modeling such as COAWST can be an effective tool for assessing the impact of potential coastal resilience strategies to mitigate climate hazard impacts in a climate-changed world.

Marks, S. and Potter, C., 2024. Mapping recent coastal shoreline changes in southwestern Alaska using Landsat 8 satellite imagery. Journal of Coastal Research, 40(4), 661–671. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208.

Coastal communities in Alaska are frequently subjected to storm surges that erode shorelines and riverbanks, which increases flood risks around critical village infrastructure. Coastal erosion in western Alaska may be occurring currently at rates as high as 15 m per year, but the region has not been mapped in enough detail to accurately assess recent shoreline and inland riverbank erosion rates. To update the mapping of changes in all of SW Alaska's coastal margins, Landsat 8 satellite imagery was analyzed to detect trends in the normalized difference water index collected from 2013 to 2023. The normalized difference water index values range from -1 to 1, with negative values indicating majority land that includes soil and live vegetation cover and positive values indicating majority water coverage. Results showed marked coastal shoreline erosion at Chagvan Bay, Hagemeister Island, and Nanvak Bay over the past decade. Additional locations of recent bank erosion were detected on the Kuskokwim River, from its upriver mouth past the city of Bethel. Riverbank erosion was also detected in northern Nushagak Bay, and extensive surface-wetting trends around wetlands and riverbanks were detected near the village of Togiak. Moreover, many villages on the west coast of Alaska and in the Kuskokwim River Delta have recently documented climate change case studies highlighting bank erosion, indicating that a variety of related ecological disturbances are ongoing across the region.

Yang, S.M. and Lee, J.K., 2024. Evaluating the geoengineering performance of a gravity multiblock quay wall and jet-grouting on marine clayey soils along the Korean coastline. Journal of Coastal Research, 40(4), 672–682. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208.

Jet-grouting has been widely used as a ground improvement method in several fields of geoengineering, but most of the case studies have focused on embankments and excavations. This paper describes the performance of a gravity block-type quay wall in the southwest coast of Korea where the underlying soft clayey soils were improved by jet-grout columns. The scheme and properties of jet-grouting and the construction history and measured behavior of the wall-soil system are presented. A finite element analysis was conducted to estimate the settlement, lateral displacement, and horizontal earth pressure of the quay wall. The computed results compare well with the field data during and after construction. The effect of area replacement ratio, quantifying the degree of ground improvement, on the response of the quay walls was also investigated. The field and numerical results show that the jet-grout columns enhanced the performance of the block-type quay wall over soft soils.

Rubin, E.V.L.; Blum, L.K., and Mills, A.L., 2024. Effect of flooding on water-table elevation and salinity in a coastal agricultural field. Journal of Coastal Research, 40(4), 683–695. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208.

Water levels and salinity were measured in seven shallow (∼2-m-deep) wells installed at distances proximal, medial, and distal to the source of tidal flooding between 2017 and 2019 in a warm-season grass meadow adjacent to a salt marsh. Water-table fluctuations greater than 10 cm were associated with seawater, precipitation, or a combination of the two. When the field was flooded by tides (>0.5 m above predicted), groundwater salinity increased; when the field was flooded by precipitation (>2.5 cm), the salinity of the groundwater decreased. The increased head gradient that accompanied the rise in the water table appeared to be sufficient to allow the freshwater from precipitation to push the saltwater down and towards the marsh creek, resulting in a freshening of the groundwater that persisted until the next saltwater flooding event. Thus, the relative frequencies of saltwater flooding, salinization, freshwater flooding, and flushing controlled the groundwater salinity. These findings indicate the importance of high-tide events in the process of salinization of the groundwater and the ameliorating effects of rainfall events when the magnitude is sufficient to increase groundwater elevation at least 10 cm. Further, the results contribute to a growing body of evidence in support of the interaction between freshwater and saltwater flooding events to enhance the salinity of groundwater and drive ecosystem transition from uplands to salt marshes.

Guru Prasath, J.; Sannasiraj, S.A., and Chandramohan, P., 2024. Nearshore morphological changes due to severe cyclonic storm activity along the east coast of India. Journal of Coastal Research, 40(4), 696–713. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208.

Nearshore waves, wind, and tidal current mobilize seabed sediments; sort, transport, and redistribute the sediments; and modify the nearshore seabed morphology. Waves play a dominant role in morphological changes among winds, waves, and tidal currents. The nearshore wave breaking induces the initiation of sediment movement, and the associated alongshore current transports a large volume of sediments that tend to either accrete toward or erode from the beach face and seabed. Sediment transport rate in the nearshore waters during cyclones is higher than that under normal conditions. The measured changes due to Cyclone Nivar in November 2020 in the nearshore morphology along the Mahabalipuram coast are examined to understand the response of nearshore morphology to cyclonic wave-induced forcing. The beach-profile measurements across 10 transects at 100 m spacing covering about 1000 m along the coast were measured before and after the passage of Cyclone Nivar as a part of the present field study. The evolving beach profiles during Cyclone Nivar were simulated using the storm-induced beach change (SBEACH) model, which is a cross-shore profile evolution model. The changes due to berm erosion and deposition of nearshore sand bars have been compared from field measurements data and model prediction. The calibrated model was then used to simulate the beach profile response at two other locations along the cyclone-affected coastline to examine the shoreline impact. The calibrated model can be used along the coast to understand the poststorm profiles of the beach with reasonable accuracy.

Krivova, M.; Olsen, M.; Allan, J.; Parrish, C.; Leshchinsky, B.; Senogles, A.; Herrmann, J., and Dundas, S., 2024. Vulnerability assessment of risk for a coastal highway in Oregon, U.S.A. Journal of Coastal Research, 40(4), 714–739. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208.

Threading its way through Oregon, U.S. Highway 101 operates as a crucial conduit, intertwining functional necessity with the aesthetic appeal of sweeping coastal vistas. Unfortunately, many locations along this vital route are under constant threat from coastal hazards, such as seacliff erosion, landslides, and recurrent wave runup leading to overtopping and flooding. Given the daunting challenges associated with maintaining functional infrastructure in such rugged, dynamic terrain, as well as the balance between the preservation of the natural state of the coastline and the infrastructure providing access, sites must be prioritized for mitigation. Using quantitative assessment methods, such as the Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI), can play a pivotal role in systematically identifying high-risk sites in need of remediation. Based on the findings of previous studies, the CVI was tailored to assess the vulnerability of the highway system to coastal geologic hazards. In this study, 71 hazardous sites were pinpointed for evaluation and possible remedial action. To capture the spectrum of hazards faced at each site, 26 parameters were used and classified into three primary categories, namely inundation, erosion, and landslides. This study presents a unique approach in implementing the CVI by considering the potential uncertainties in the calculations. The novelty lies in the usage of a Monte Carlo simulation to assign weights based on the uncertainties of each parameter. This innovative simulation approach enables assessment of the sensitivity of the overall CVI estimation based on the influence of parameter uncertainties. Ultimately, this approach provides a more robust, less subjective, and comprehensive vulnerability assessment process than current implementations of CVI that do not incorporate uncertainty.

Engin, S.; Gurkan, S., and Taskavak, E., 2024. Cellular changes in liver tissue of adult common sole (Solea solea L. 1758) in the Aegean Sea, Turkey. Journal of Coastal Research, 40(4), 740–748. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208.

In this study, cellular changes and biological indices in the liver tissue of the common sole, Solea solea (L. 1758), are investigated based on sex, size groups, and seasons. The specimens used in the study were obtained monthly between 2019 and 2020 from commercial trawlers and small scale–fishing operations in the fishing grounds of Izmir Bay, the Aegean Sea coast of Turkey. A total of 240 common sole fish (166 female, 66 male, 8 immature) were used in this study. In the obtained specimens, the male: female ratio was determined as 0.39:1 (χ² = 33.19; p > 0.05), whereas the length–weight relationship was calculated as W = 0.009TL^2.97 (R² = 0.86) for females and W = 0.009TL^3.27 (R² = 0.91) for males. Four size groups (19–22, 23–26, 27–30, >30cm) were established in the study. Significant histological changes, such as macrovesicular steatosis degenerations, were observed in the liver tissue of the examined fish, especially in larger size groups. Females exhibited higher levels of condition and hepatosomatic index values compared with males, possibly because they are more susceptible to liver degeneration. During the summer months, liver degeneration is more striking due to hunger among common soles. Based on these results, 36.7% of the specimens caught from fishing grounds in Izmir Bay have normal liver tissues, whereas 11.3% have macrosteosis and 8.3% have a sinusoidal hemorrhage.

Oñate, V.; Orejarena-Rondón, A.F., and Restrepo, J.C., 2024. A simple approach to the risk assessment of strategic infrastructure on the Colombian Caribbean coast. Journal of Coastal Research, 40(4), 749–767. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208.

Strategic infrastructure at risk was identified on the Colombian Caribbean coast. The risk approach consisted of an estimation of the main coastal hazards (coastal erosion, mean sea-level rise, and changes in wave energy flux) and the exposure level, as one of the most significant components of vulnerability, through multicriteria analysis and GISs. It identified 88 strategic coastal infrastructures that are at risk, located less than 250 m from the coastline, and belong to the energy, health, education, and transportation sectors. Of these, 34.1% are at a medium-high risk level, and 20.5% are classified as high-risk critical infrastructure. The analysis also revealed that anthropogenic interventions, such as sand mining, poorly designed hard coastal protection structures (groins, seawalls, and breakwaters), or damage to marine ecosystems, might have a relevant weight on the risk degree of critical infrastructure, highlighting the relevance of appropriate coastal protection measures for strategic infrastructure. This simplified approach aimed to contribute to the risk management of such essential elements and guarantee compliance with the predisaster stage of disaster risk management.

Rahim, A.; Soeprobowati, T.R.; Putranto, T.T.; Hadiyanto, H., and Alfalah, M.H., 2024. Investigating the impact of climate and land use changes on mangrove ecosystems: A bibliometric analysis from 2013 to 2023. Journal of Coastal Research, 40(4), 768–778. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208.

Mangroves are essential to the stability of coastal regions, especially when facing the threat of climate change. However, deforestation, land use changes, and rising sea levels destroy mangrove forests. Based on bibliometric analysis, this paper aims to gain insight into the impact of climate and land use changes on mangroves. By searching Scopus, 534 pieces of literature from 2013 to 2023 were found, and they were analyzed based on bibliometric information and article metadata. Trends and hotspots of the impact of climate and land use changes on mangrove research were explored using VOSviewer software. The results of a network co-occurrence analysis revealed that mangroves, climate change, land use change, blue carbon, and wetlands represent the most popular central areas of study. The results of this paper show that the countries with the greatest number of publications on mangroves and climate and land use changes are the United States, Australia, India, Indonesia, and China. The research findings revealed that remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) are the most recently used technologies to enhance the research field of ecosystem monitoring in mangrove research. Maintaining and increasing carbon sinks through sustainable management of mangrove ecosystems have been a potential priority in climate change and mangrove ecosystem research development. This research highlights trends in the impact of climate and land use changes on mangrove ecosystem research over the past 10 years. It identifies areas that require further research investment to promote future research collaboration.

Mohale, H.P.; Jawahar, P.; Jayakumar, N.; Swapnil, N.; Kadam, R.V.; Prakash, P.; Oli, G.A., and Ravikumar, T., 2024. Fishery, biology, and dynamics of Parapenaeopsis maxillipedo (Alcock, 1905) off the SE coast of Tamil Nadu (India). Journal of Coastal Research, 40(4), 779–791. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208.

The current study was carried out between September 2022 to September 2023 from SE coast of Tamil Nadu for Parapenaeopsis shrimp. This shrimp, estimated to rank third in shrimp production, landed as 2216, 2032, and 1704 kg from Thoothukudi, Mandapam, and Nagapattinam landing centers, respectively. The catch per unit effort was calculated to check the abundance of this species and ranged from 21.83 to 96.41 kg, averaging 46.33% in both years. The total length of males and females was observed in the range of 5.5 to 10.5 cm and 6.5 to 12.5 cm, respectively. Female shrimp attained first maturity at 6.5 cm, whereas male shrimp were 5.5 cm. The gonadosomatic index was calculated and found to be the highest (5.64–5.78) in March and September and the lowest in April and October for both years. The absolute fecundity for P. maxillipedo was recorded and ranged from 38,500 to 1,32,000 ova per female. The highest index of relative importance was observed in October and April for both male (57.04) and female (73.82) shrimp. To estimate von Bertalanffy's growth equation in P. maxillipedo, the asymptotic length and growth coefficient (K) growth parameters were combined for both sexes and analyzedas 13.55 cm and 1.5 y^–1, respectively. The total mortality and natural mortality (M) were observed as 3.04 and 2.86 y^–1, respectively. Hence, fishing mortality was 0.18 y^–1, and the exploitation rate (E) was 0.06. The length at first catch per length (LC/L) and M/K values were calculated using the Y/R model as 0.52 and 1.2 for males and 0.48 and 1.3 for females, respectively. E was observed as 0.06, which was lower than the maximum E of 0.4, which showed that the P. maxillipedo fisheries along the SE coast of Tamil Nadu were at unexploited conditions.

Abir, T.M.; Das, T., and Ferdous, F., 2024. Building community resilience and adaptation to climate change: Integrating disaster risk reduction in the coastal regions of Bangladesh. Journal of Coastal Research, 40(4), 792–802. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208.

Building community resilience is very significant in reducing climate shocks and disaster risk. There is some insufficiency in community resiliency among coastal communities of Bangladesh, so they are still suffering from disastrous events like cyclones, floods, riverbank erosion, heavy rain, salinity, and tidal surges. So, this study critically examined the impacts of disasters on coastal communities and how they can build their resilience to reduce disaster risk. This study emphasizes the local adaptation strategies for risk reduction and the barriers faced by the local coastal community that hinder disaster resilience. The study was conducted from November 2022 to March 2023. A mixed-method research approach was utilized to assess the situation. In order to gauge the resilience of the community, the study focused on social, economic, infrastructure, and institutional dimensions based on different established climate disaster resilience indexes and frameworks. Key informant interview and face-to-face interview methods were used for data collection. Findings showed that the main barrier to sustainable adaptation and community resilience is the poor socioeconomic conditions of the community in the study area. Lower rates of quality education, limited livelihood opportunities, lack of other resources, and repeated disastrous events cause poor socioeconomic situations for those communities. The results show that the area is highly dependent on agriculture and fishing, so there needs to be special consideration given to disaster tolerance cultivation. In addition, the collaboration of locally grounded adaptation solutions and technological solutions should be emphasized for sustainable adaptation and will be necessary to ensure sustainable livelihoods. The study suggests that policymakers prioritize social and institutional support in building community resilience to reduce disaster risk.

Amarasekara, K.; Perera, C.; Yatawara, M., and Jayasiri, H.B., 2024. Lesser-known species (Ipomoea imperati) from the Convolvulaceae family: First record from the Manalkaadu sand dunes of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Journal of Coastal Research, 40(4), 803–808. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208.

Coastal sand dunes are dynamic and fragile ecosystems found along some sandy shorelines. They are typically supported by a wide variety of specialized floral and faunal life. Coastal sand dunes are especially common in temperate coastal areas but are less abundant in tropical or subtropical coasts. A comprehensive study of flora in the Manalkaadu sand dune ecosystem was completed from August 2022 to May 2023, using 50-m × 5-m belt transects. The study area was divided into nine distinct locations for systematic sampling. Ipomoea imperati (Vahl) Griseb., a dicotyledonous flowering plant commonly known as fiddle-leaf morning-glory of the Convolvulaceae family, was recorded for the first time in the Manalkaadu sand dunes of the Northern Province in Sri Lanka during the study. Ipomoea imperati has smooth trailing stems that are covered with alternately arranged lanceolate, fleshy dark green leaves with a notched apex. Ipomoea imperati bloomed from September 2022 to March 2023 in the study area, and the funnel-shaped flowers were fused with white petals and yellow centers. In the area where it was discovered, the species withstood high substrate temperatures (about 29°C to 35°C), sand scouring, and moderate burial by accreted sand. Out of nine sampling locations, I. imperati was found in five locations. The plant density (two to six), plant percentage frequency (40% to 60%), Shannon Wiener diversity index (0.54 to 1.43), species evenness (0.50 to 0.90), and richness (2 to 5) were also analyzed. Thus, the density of I. imperati in five sampling locations was considered to be moderate, whereas the diversity was very low. It is designated as endangered in the National Red List 2020—Conservation Status of the Flora of Sri Lanka.

Stalter, R. and Lonard, R.I., 2024. Biological flora of coastal salt marshes: Iva frutescens L. Journal of Coastal Research, 40(4), 809–815. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208.

Iva frutescens L., also known as marsh elder, has a broad distributional range, from the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, to Florida in the United States and from Florida on the Gulf of Mexico to the central Texas coast. Iva frutescens typically occurs in the upper tidal ecotone of salt marshes with more terrestrial upland vegetation. Marsh elder is a hardy shrub that is relatively intolerant to flooding but has a relative tolerance to low soil salinity. Iva frutescens recovers quickly after cutting and fire and may be important in blocking the invasion of Phragmites australis into reconstructed salt marshes. Borrichia frutescens and I. frutescens are associated with the phenomenon of associational resistance. Gall-midge densities in marsh elder stems are reduced when I. frutescens occurs with a second gall-forming host, B. frutescens.

Sun, Y.; Zhang, S.; Yang, S.; Zhou, W.; Cui, X., and Wu, Y., 2024. Review and analysis of electronic monitoring (EM) minimum standards for pelagic main fishing gear. Journal of Coastal Research, 40(4), 816–825. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208.

Observer systems for monitoring and collecting catch information from pelagic fisheries are essential in ensuring the sustainable harvesting of pelagic fisheries resources. The emergence in recent years of electronic observers that rely on video surveillance is gradually becoming a complementary or alternative measure to human observers. Electronic observers' security and ease of use make full electronic monitoring (EM) of ocean-going fishing ships possible while ensuring complete data availability. The development and improvement of its standards are the keys to ensuring the large-scale application of EM. This paper summarizes and justifies the minimum standards for EM for pelagic fishing by analyzing the standards and current status of human observers, documenting the functions and applications of EM systems, comparing the monitoring capabilities of human observers and EM, and analyzing the characteristics of the three main fishing methods: purse seine, trawl, and longline, respectively, in terms of equipment platform technology, data collection, and data management. The development of EM standards can clarify the cost of the entire monitoring process, ensure the compliance and economics of EM, and achieve effective long-term monitoring of pelagic fishing.