Year 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 Miles of non-critically eroding beaches 114.8 119.3 122.1 123.1 122.6 Miles of critically eroding beaches 217.6 218.8 227.5 231.9 232.9 Total 332.4 338.1 349.6 355.0 355.5
Explanation of Indicator
The process of erosion affects many miles of the Florida coastline.
While the erosion and accretion of sand are naturally occurring
phenomena, representing net loss and net gain of sand respectively,
they exist, without human disturbance, in a dynamic equilibrium.
The ever increasing amount of construction in coastal areas has
accelerated the erosion processes in many areas while it has caused
the accretion of sand and the shoaling of sand in others.
Beach erosion endangers an increasing amount of public and private property. Many areas in Florida experience significant erosion but are not good candidates for restoration since there are no human built structures nearby. Alternatively, there are many areas where the erosion is less significant but because of the threat to surrounding development, restoration is desired. Erosion is considered to be a critical problem if it threatens human interests; without any threat to development or interests, erosion is just a natural process. There are two types of erosion classified: critically eroding beaches are areas where substantial development or recreational interests are threatened; non-critically eroding beaches are areas where the erosion processes do not currently threaten any substantial development or recreational interests.
The monitoring of this indicator would provide a measure of how much the mass-energy balance of the natural beach systems has been disturbed.
Data Characteristics
SOURCE
The information can be obtained from Mr. Ralph R. Clark, who
compiles an annual report, A Statewide Inventory and Identification
of the Beach Erosion Problem Areas in Florida. Mr. Clark can be
reached at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection,
Division of Beaches and Coastal Systems, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd.,
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000, or at (904) 488-3181.
ACQUISITION
Erosion length and rate information is available in hard copy
format. There are no costs associated with the acquisition of
this information.
COLLECTION
The baseline data were established with the first report in 1989.
Since then, the report is updated on an annual basis and is
currently available through December 1993.
Data Limitations
While the quality of erosion rate data is very high due to
on-site visits, aerial photography, and remote sensing, the
cause and effect relationship of erosion may be less clearly
defined. Erosion rates are indicative of not just one natural
phenomenon, but are an effect of many different processes.
Care must be taken to consider the influence of single severe
storm events on erosion rates. Annual analyses may not be as
insightful as studies of longer time periods.
Data Analysis
Between 1989 and 1993, the amount of eroding shoreline
increased from 332.4 to 355.5 miles. This represents an
increase of nearly 7% in five years. The increase in mileage
is found nearly equally in both the critically and
non-critically eroding beaches. Critically eroding areas
increased from 217.6 to 232.9 miles, and non-critically
eroding areas grew from 114.8 to 122.6 miles.
Year 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 Miles of non-critically eroding beaches 114.8 119.3 122.1 123.1 122.6 Miles of critically eroding beaches 217.6 218.8 227.5 231.9 232.9 Total 332.4 338.1 349.6 355.0 355.5