Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain
Recent powerful winter storms have caused significant damage along California’s coastline, leading to collapsed infrastructure and submerged properties. As sea levels rise due to climate change, scientists are implementing a unique experiment to mitigate these impacts.
Located near the Santa Cruz-Monterey county line, a 247-acre property is being transformed to combat flooding by converting flood-prone farmland into tidal wetlands. This innovative approach allows ocean waters to flow inland during storms and high tides in a controlled manner, protecting homes and properties.
This project emphasizes working harmoniously with nature instead of attempting to resist the ocean’s natural progression.
Sarah Newkirk, the executive director of the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County overseeing the initiative, describes it as a model that can be replicated in other coastal regions across California, the Gulf of Mexico, and beyond.
The nonprofit environmental group recently acquired the Beach Ranch property for $13.9 million. Situated at the mouth of the Pajaro River near Monterey Bay, this farmland has experienced recurrent flooding in recent years, highlighting the urgency of such conservation efforts.
2024-08-19 07:15:02
Post from phys.org