Florida’s East Coast is Rapidly Eroding
With Florida having 825 miles of coastline, it comes as a big surprise when, just on the east coast, more than two hundred miles of coastline are considered critically eroding or eroded.
Beach erosion normally happens when a big storm comes or with an extreme sea-level rise; however, “human activities like coastal development or construction of navigation channels and inlets have exacerbated the issue and changed the natural flow of water and sand”(Florida Museum).
This is important because beach erosion hosts a much greater impact on our land than we think. This not only affects natural habitats and wildlife but can also weaken the foundations of buildings near the shore leading to damage or loss.
The map above shows the miles of “critically eroding” coastline in East Florida by county.
Florida also depends on its beaches and coastline to attract millions of tourists each year which then leads to a very large contribution to the local economy. To lose Florida’s coast is to lose a great economical asset for the state.
More recent data actually shows that more than 426.6 miles of this shoreline are critically eroded, worn down, or changed to “such a degree that upland development, recreational interests, wildlife habitat, or important cultural resources are threatened or lost,” according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
