New Gulf Coast Vulnerability Assessment Released

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released the Gulf Coast Vulnerability Assessment (GCVA). It is a comprehensive report that evaluates the effects of climate change, sea level rise, and urbanization on four Gulf of Mexico coastal ecosystems and 11 species that depend on them.

The ecosystems assessed are mangrove, oyster reef, tidal emergent marsh and barrier islands. The species are roseate spoonbill, blue crab, clapper rail, mottled duck, spotted seatrout, eastern oyster, American oystercatcher, red drum, black skimmer, Kemp’s ridley sea turtle and Wilson’s plover. The GCVA used an expert opinion approach to qualitatively assess vulnerability on each ecosystem and species. The experts identified management strategies for vulnerable species and ecosystems.

The GCVA was initiated by four Landscape Conservation Cooperatives and received support/guidance from many partners. These included the US Fish & Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Northern Gulf Institute, the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, and the United States Geological Survey.

To learn more about the Gulf Coast Vulnerability Assessment and get a copy, go to the Gulf Coast Prairie Landscape Conservation Cooperative website.