Our process for delineating, prioritizing, and characterizing Operational Landscape Units, as summarized in the above diagram, incorperated several publicly available datasets.
Regional Units were delineated based on the upland extent of sea level rise impacts, the bayside depth at which wind-driven waves transport sediment, and watershed boundaries.
Priority Regional Units were identified by conducting a raster-based suitability analysis that combined variables related to biodiversity, public access, and hazard exposure. Diversity of outputs was ensured by selecting the highest ranking Regional Units seperately accross four diverse ecoregions.
Priority Regional Units were further divided into Estuary-Level Units based on sub-watershed boundaries.
Estuary-Level Units were characterized in order to understand similarities and differences related to geo-physical factors, landcover and habitas, and water and wave conditions.
The characterization process varied considerably based on the type of data inputs available.
Tidelands
The initial phase of the study consisted of characterizing the region and selecting project sites, with the EMLab focusing on the north atlantic coast from Delaware to Maine. To understand this geographic region and select potential project sites, we developed and implemented a unit-based suitability analysis and characterization process using publicly available data.
More information about our process is documented in our Operational Landscape Unit Suitability and Characterization Report.
This work has led to the development of our Fire Island Erosion Control project.
Led By: Sean Burkholder and Keith VanDerSys
Team: Lucy Salwen
© 2020 University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design
© The Ian L. McHarg Center for Urbanism and Ecology
210 South 34th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
© 2020 University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design
© The Ian L. McHarg Center for Urbanism and Ecology
Office of the Director
210 South 34th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104