Mapping Coastal Modifications Digitization Protocol

In 2022-2024, imagery of the shoreline was captured by boat for the east coast of Vancouver Island. In 2023, the Resilient Coasts for Salmon team began digitizing these modifications on the shoreline and nearshore. The Resilient Coasts for Salmon team developed protocols, collected and digitized data on coastal modifications for much of the east coast of Vancouver Island. This was prompted by community groups and researchers expressing the need for facilitating informed decision-making for adapting to coastal climate change with nature in mind, to highlight vulnerable areas to explore further with coastal geomorphologists and encourage communities to opt for precautionary approaches to shoreline management that can continue to support communities and natural systems. Digitization protocols were developed for 1. modifications present on the shoreline (hard armouring like seawalls), 2. overwater structures and pilings (e.g., docks), and 3. log accumulation, yielding three corresponding datasets.

The goal of the protocols and datasets were for educational purposes only, to explore high level data regarding shoreline modifications and how they overlap with basic climate models and other ecological data. It is important to note that data resulting from these protocols should not be used for detailed analysis or decision-making without formal, in-depth assessments from qualified environmental professionals including coastal geomorphologists, who can provide expert guidance tailored at local scales.