Protection and restoration of coastal habitats yield multiple benefits for urban residents as sea levels rise

Rising seas threaten coastal populations and infrastructure. This study, conducted in partnership with stakeholders in San Mateo County, California, co-developed nature-based solutions for sea-level rise adaptation. Six guiding principles shaped the planning process, which included vulnerability assessments and the creation of three adaptation scenarios. Scenarios incorporating nature-based solutions yielded up to eight times the benefits of a traditionally engineered approach, including significant habitat gains. The study demonstrates practical tools for assessing the multiple benefits of nature-based solutions in urban estuaries.

A. D. Guerry, J. Silver, J. Beagle, K. Wyatt, K. Arkema, J. Lowe, P. Hamel, R. Griffin, S. Wolny, E. Plane, M. Griswold, H. Papendick, J. Sharma