UPEI Climate Research Lab reports PEI coastal erosion for 2014 greater than anticipated
Prince Edward Island lost an average of 46 centimetres of coastline to the sea last year, according to the results of a new annual study conducted by the University of Prince Edward Island’s Climate Research Lab.
“I did not expect this amount of coastal erosion across PEI during this past winter as no major storm surges impacted our shores,” said Dr. Adam Fenech, director of the lab. “The average loss across the island is 28 centimetres, so to see 46 is quite surprising.”
Coastal erosion on PEI has been tracked in the past by comparing aerial photographic surveys of the island, taken every ten years by the provincial government. To provide new annual data, Dr. Fenech’s research team of associates and graduate students established more than 100 measuring sites across the province. They have driven marker pins into the ground from which they can measure erosion from year to year. This kind of annual tracking can assist in planning, risk assessment, and research.
Graduate student Andy MacDonald points out that of the sites measured this year, “about nine sites had no change at all, while five sites had losses of over two metres, including sites at Governor’s Island, Naufrage Lighthouse, Panmure Island, Seaview, and Wood Islands Lighthouse.”
Previous studies led by the Climate Research Lab concluded that more than 20 square kilometres (about 5,000 acres) of PEI were lost to coastal erosion from 1968 to 2010. The study showed more than 1,000 coastal homes and cottages across PEI are vulnerable to coastal erosion. In addition to the residences, more than 40 garages, 8 barns, and almost 450 outbuildings (baby barns, and other larger buildings that were clearly not a garage, residence or barn) were found to also be at risk. Even 17 lighthouses, PEI’s maritime cultural icons, were found to be at risk, as well as six PEI golf courses. The study concluded almost 45 kilometres of roads are also vulnerable to coastal erosion on Prince Edward Island.
The study is funded by the climate change unit of the PEI Department of Communities, Land and Environment, and builds on measurements taken by the department more than thirty years ago.
