Gulf Coast's Ecological Heritage at RiskThe Gulf Statesspacer
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• Climate in the Gulf
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Alabama
Alabama Canebrake pitcher plant
Introduction
Climate Projections
Human Health
Agriculture & Forestry
Freshwater Resources
Biodiversity & Land Conservation
Fisheries
Coastal Development
AL Resources & Links
Coastal Development and Infrastructure
Over recent decades, most of the Alabama shoreline has been rapidly developed for residences, recreation, and tourism. Other areas, such as Mobile Bay and the seaport of Mobile, have long been important industrial sites and transportation hubs. As development and economic activity in coastal areas has increased, so has societal vulnerability to coastal hazards. Climate change could intensify the threat of such hazards. For example:

  • Sea-level rise will increase the rates of erosion—an already significant threat to homes, roads, harbor installations, and other infrastructure along the shorefront. As erosion proceeds, communities and built infrastructure, such as on Dauphin Island, become more vulnerable to the impacts of severe storms. Coastal erosion will also lead to beach loss where sediment supplies are low. Beach tourism will be directly affected and significant investment may be necessary to maintain beaches.

  • Mobile HarborSea-level rise will also increase storm surges, even if hurricanes and tropical storms do not become more frequent or intense. Thus, greater economic losses from storms, and higher repair and maintenance costs, such as the costs of maintaining port and industrial facilities or beach replenishment, must be expected in the future.

  • Coastal ecosystems, such as estuaries, salt marshes, and seagrass beds will experience the combined impacts of human pressures, higher temperatures, accelerated sea-level rise, and changing rainfall patterns. Waterfowl and other wildlife essential to hunting, trapping, and recreational fishing are dependent on these coastal ecosystems.

  • Unless ecosystems have the time and space to adapt or migrate to more suitable habitat, the diversity of species and habitats in the coastal zone and the ecological and economical benefits they provide are likely to diminish. Managed coastal land for agriculture and tourism will also be severely impacted.

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Photo Credits:
Alabama Canebrake pitcher plant - Threatened & Endangered Species of Alabama. R. Johnson & B. Wehrle; www.pfmt.org.
Mobile Harbor - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo, A. Lamarre.
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