Coastal Farmers' and Agricultural Landowners' Perceptions of Marsh Migration and Emerging Socio‐Ecological Vulnerabilities Related to Sea‐Level Rise

Abstract

Sea‐level rise (SLR) has the potential to profoundly impact coastal ecosystems and human communities. SLR will cause marshes to erode on their seaward edge, but marsh migration onto uplands may allow for their persistence and continued provision of ecosystem services. Low elevation agricultural land may be well‐suited for marsh migration; however, SLR and associated marsh migration on agricultural land could negatively impact farmers and landowners, underscoring the value of exploring both social and ecological dimensions of marsh migration. We conducted semi‐structured interviews ( n = 12) with coastal farmers and agricultural landowners on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, USA to understand their experiences with and perceptions of impacts of marsh migration on their agricultural lands and in their community. While interviewees acknowledged some benefits of marsh migration, the preservation of farmland was preferred over allowing marsh migration. Participants also shared their views on some of the social consequences of SLR and marsh migration such as impacts to their livelihoods, damage to infrastructure in their communities, and the impact of regulatory boundaries related to wetlands. However, most saw these as distant issues. We outline additional socio‐cultural factors interviewees noted, such as intergenerational ties to the community and desires to see open space conserved, that could influence efforts to promote marsh migration. In revealing current challenges and opportunities facing coastal farmers and agricultural landowners due to SLR, these findings can inform coastal adaptation planning efforts that simultaneously consider ecological and social impacts of marsh migration.