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Introduction
Introduction
The Outer Banks are home to miles and miles of delicate, pristine beaches with crashing waves and abundant life. These barrier islands are a picturesque destination on the northeastern side of North Carolina, United States (US). From its vibrant communities, lighthouses, and coastal landscape, this place draws in millions of tourists every year (United States Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], 2025). However, this special place is experiencing one of the more pressing challenges the world is facing today. This widely-known coast is crumbling due to shoreline erosion, which can lead to homes or other infrastructure falling into the oceans, habitat loss, increased flood risk, and economic disruptions (EPA, 2025).
The speed of this erosion is alarming and a multitude of reasons are escalating this crisis, including strong storms that bring powerful wind and waves, rising sea levels, and most significantly, human impact (EPA, 2025). The stronger storms are fueled by the warming sea temperatures as the globe warms up due to excessive amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Over the years, warmer temperatures have escalated the intensity of storms, like hurricanes, and increased sea levels as well (EPA, 2025).
Furthermore, human activities like urbanization, home development, and vegetation removal lead to higher erosion rates due to the increased amount of water runoff (Gittman, et al., 2015). Less vegetation and more impervious surfaces have negative effects on the soil stability and the shoreline’s future. Not only is the local ecosystem threatened by this rapid erosion of the Outer Banks, but also the economy and well-being of the residents who call these shores home (EPA, 2025). The goal of this project is to investigate the many causes and effects of erosion, especially its long-term environmental impacts. Researching potential mitigation strategies is crucial to assess and provide support to the current state of the shoreline. In the end, this information will beneficially help the local governments, communities, and environmental organizations to develop an action plan to protect North Carolina’s beautiful coastal region from further harm.
Literature Review
Literature Review
The purpose of this literature review is to explore existing studies on coastal erosion and identify the types of problems it has caused and the various strategies researchers have used to help protect local communities. The Outer Banks are made up of constantly shifting barrier islands that are slowly moving toward the eastern coast of the US (Gual, 2022). They have such a distinctive geography that makes them more vulnerable to unpredictable storms, winds, and ocean currents (Gual, 2022). Additionally, historical data concerning the island's location in the past, from the 1940s till now, has been used to predict the potential vulnerability of certain areas on the coast (Overton, 2021). This data indicates where the shoreline has been throughout the decades as the ocean has ebbed and flowed to various levels (Overton, 2021). This means planning for erosion is possible and some strategies can be implemented in order to prepare for the ever-changing shorelines.
On the other hand, unnatural dunes do not form gradually over time and do not contain the same framework as a natural dune, which is a human-made, mound of sand that is engineered to mimic a natural dune (National Centers for Coastal Ocean Sciences [NCCOS], 2022). However, these dunes become much less stable and more vulnerable due to their lack of vegetation (NCCOS, 2022). This demonstrates that more vegetation and greenery benefits the dunes and coastal regions. Both the living shorelines and natural dune vegetation coverage are solvable solutions to rising concerns with coastal erosion in general.
Another aspect of this idea draws attention to how the barrier islands are constructed themselves. There are two types of dunes, natural and human-constructed. The internal structure of the natural dunes is the vital element that reinforces the overall strength of the dune, usually consisting of roots, plants, or other vegetation (Davis et al., 2015, p.1). This establishes more stability and reduces the possibility of erosion from flooding or storms (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA], 2015).
Several studies have been conducted on how to approach coastal erosion, including the concept of “living shorelines” (Davis, Currin, & O’Brien, et al., 2015, p.1). This strategy implements both the “natural and hybrid infrastructure approach to coastal resiliency” by including materials like sand, rocks, and living plants (Davis et al., 2015, p.1). They can also consist of marshes or follow closely to the characteristics of a wetland-type environment. This continues to support the organisms that live in the habitat and local ecosystem services as well as holding down the coastline to reduce erosion (Davis et al., 2015, p.1).
Looking closely at the Outer Banks specifically, studies have found that “hundreds of feet of shoreline in places” have been lost and eaten up by the ever-changing ebb and flow of the ocean currents (Gaul, 2022, p.1). This is extremely dangerous in narrow strips of the barrier islands, especially along the highway known as NC 12. The road is in danger of flooding and falling into the ocean in several low areas, which has even caused it to be shut down for days or weeks at a time (Gual, 2022, p.1). This highway is just one example of how human-made infrastructure cannot always withstand nature involving powerful waves and storms. This notion is related to the unnatural dunes because of their lack of an authentic rooting system. In natural dunes, there are physical roots and other vegetation types that help ground the sand in place, which clearly argues against human-constructed infrastructure and sand dunes. Furthermore, the foundation of the Outer Banks is part of the main issue due to the region's “low relief and permeable soils” (Flynn, Robbins, Wyrick, et al., 2013, p.1). This means there is relatively low change in topography and the soil allows large amounts of water to move through freely from the ocean. This does not help in high-risk areas for erosion, especially low-elevation areas closest to the water. Overall, the type of dune and foundation characteristics are key in determining the stability of the coastal region.
This review justifies the importance and urgency of this research proposal. These studies offer a strong foundation for grasping the various aspects of shoreline erosion and how weather trends and climate change can have an impact on coastal communities. This will allow coastal management organizations to start participating in response and assessments of the barrier islands and their dune foundations. Encouraging coastal communities to partner with such management organizations is important to directly increase the effectiveness of these findings. Understanding the risks and using scientific research to develop solutions for mitigating these environmental issues is crucial.
Theoretical Framework
Theoretical Framework
Essentially, the Appraisal Theory explores how individuals react based on their perceptions or assessment of a situation (Smith, 2001, p. 3). The theory claims that “emotions are elicited by evaluations (appraisals) of events and situations,” which explains how certain events can provoke specific emotions or behaviors in individuals (Smith, 2001, p. 3). However, this does not mean that the event itself is solely the reason for the emotions that arise, but it plays a role in the individual’s emotional response and behaviors. On the other hand, humans do not all think or feel the same way about most topics, and “there can be striking individual differences in emotional reaction to a given event” (Smith, 2001, p. 4). Other factors, such as individual values, goals, or beliefs, can contribute to the way a person reacts to an event (Smith, 2001, p. 4). For example, in a movie theater, there can be someone crying and someone laughing during the same scene because they have differing attitudes toward the situation on screen. This shows how important it is to understand the personal components because they can help determine how an individual will act and respond to certain circumstances (Lazarus, 1990, p. 609). An individual’s emotion can be predicted by another person if they are aware of the individual’s connection to the environment or situation (Lazarus, 1990, p. 616). Additionally, “an individual’s emotional response to a given event may change over time,” which is important to note in order to fully understand how an individual processes an event or situation (Smith, 2001, p. 4). Furthermore, some key constructs of the Appraisal Theory include goal relevance, goal congruence, novelty, control, and agency (Schmidt, 2010). These constructs contribute to the type of reaction the individual has when encountering an event (Lazarus, 1990, p. 616).
The figure on the left displays the theoretical framework laid out in chronological order with arrows indicating the direction of the theory. The first arrow contains the situation or life event that has occurred. The second arrow represents the appraisal, whether it is good or bad. Then, the third arrow indicates the emotions that come from the appraisal. Lastly, the fourth arrow represents the action that the individual may take after experiencing the emotional response.
In the context of shoreline erosion in the Outer Banks, this theory is an appropriate foundation for explaining how residents perceive the environmental impacts of erosion and sea level rise on their own personal lives, as well as their emotional reactions. Whether they view this problem as a threat or of low risk to their own goals and livelhoods. The Appraisal Theory provides constructs that determine how local residents perceive the issue, how it aligns with their goals, how much control they have over it, the novelty of the issue, and who/what is responsible for it (Schmidt, 2010). This theoretical framework is vital to studying and reflecting on how emotional responses can influence local residents’ perceptions of environmental changes and potential behaviors. For example, this can determine how likely a resident is to evacuate, buy property protection, or voice their political opinions regarding climate change. Overall, the Appraisal Theory considers how appraisal helps shape and organize emotional responses (citation p. 19).
Research Question
Research Question
The purpose of this research study is to determine how shoreline erosion in the Outer Banks, NC affects nearby residents and their perception of rising water levels. Each year, these barrier islands are experiencing changing coastlines due to powerful storms and rising sea levels due to a warmer climate. This leads to the islands’ vulnerability as pieces slowly start chipping away at the fragile ecosystems and habitats. This is detrimental not only to the organisms living in this location but also to the local residents.
These conditions are also impacting the lives of those living in these coastal regions, such as their perspective on climate change. In addition, their homes, businesses, shops, and whole livelihoods depend on these shorelines to stay intact and safe from erosion. As the water rises, those who live in the Outer Banks are facing excessive financial issues due to increased vulnerability, flood risks, and damage (EPA, 2025). This can even lead to relocation if these problems persist in the future (EPA, 2025). This issue needs to be addressed urgently in order to preserve the natural beauty of the Outer Banks and protect the humans and wildlife that live there. The future of these barrier islands is unpredictable and it is a necessity that environmental organizations and efficient research are completed to explore this crisis further.
References
Davis, L. J., Currin, A. C., O’Brien, C., Raffenburg, C., Davis, A. (2015). Living shorelines: Coastal resilience with a blue carbon benefit. PLOS ONE, 10(11). https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0142595#authcontrib
Flynn, M., Robbins, G., Wyrick, M., Phillips, D. J. (2013). Accelerated erosion on the north carolina coastal plains. Physical Geography, 14(2), p. 114-130. Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.1080/02723646.1993.10642471
Gittman, R., Fodrie, F., Popowich, A., Keller, D., Bruno, J., Currin, C., Peterson, C., Piehler, M. (2015, August). Engineering away our natural defenses: an analysis of shoreline hardening in the US. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 13(6). ESA Journals, pg 301-307. https://doi.org/10.1890/150065
Gual, G. (2022). Shifting sands: Carolina’s outer banks face a precarious future. Yale Environment 360. Yale University. https://e360.yale.edu/features/outer-banks-climate-change-flooding?
Lazarus, R. & Smith, C. (1990, January). Emotion and Adaptation. Contemporary Sociology A Journal of Reviews 21(4), pg 609-637. DOI:10.2307/2075902
National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science. (2022). Is an old dune a more resilient dune? Assessing how dune formation affects coastal protection from storms and sea level rise in north carolina. https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/project/assessing-how-dune-formation-affects-coastal-protection-from-storms-and-sea-level-rise-in-north-carolina/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2015). NOAA Study finds ‘living shorelines’ can lessen climate change’s effects. https://www.noaa.gov/media-release/noaa-study-finds-living-shorelines-can-lessen-climate-change-s-effects
Overton, F. M., Smyre, E., Velasquez-Montoya, L. (2021). Vulnerability indicators for coastal roadways based on barrier island morphology and shoreline change predictions. Natural Hazards Review, 22(2). ASCE Library. https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/%28ASCE%29NH.1527-6996.0000441
Schmidt, S., Tinti, C., Levine, L., Testa, S. (2010, February). Appraisals, emotions, and emotion regulation: An integrative approach. Motivation and Emotion 34(1). Pg 63-72. doi: 10.1007/s11031-010-9155-z
Smith, C. & Roseman, I. (2001). Appraisal Processes in Emotion: Theory, Methods, Research. In K. Scherer et al., Oxford University Press, Incorporated. ProQuest Ebook Central, pg 1-493. http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/gvsu/detail.action?docID=430304.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2025). Climate change connections: North carolina (Outer Banks).
https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-connections-north-carolina-outer-banks
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