The Human Dimension of Changing Shorelines Along the US North Atlantic Coast

Shoreline change has serious implications for coastal communities and policymakers at all levels of government. The purpose of this study was to examine existing knowledge on the social effects of erosion and accretion along the North Atlantic Coast. Initially, a comprehensive annotated bibliography of peer-reviewed literature was undertaken from which trends and themes were identified. A gap analysis matrix was developed using social variables and measurable parameters. Findings showed that overall, the quantity, breadth, and depth of literature were limited, and neglected the interdisciplinary perspective necessary to understand the social implications of shoreline change.