System dynamics and GIS in the simulation of environmental change to coastal communities
Date
2010
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University of Ottawa
Abstract
Climate change and sea level rise affects Canada’s most sensitive coastlines. This research
proposal studies the community of Isle Madame in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The research
focuses on identifying vulnerable areas in the community via geographical modeling using
ArcGIS as well as simulating and modeling of coastal climate change via system dynamics. The
objective of the research is to evaluate the physical, social, and economic impacts of a series of
changing climate scenarios in order to plan for developing and implementing strategies to adapt
to environmental change. The main challenges of this research are how to integrate and
synthesize information from a variety of sources including biology, ecology, toxicology, habitat,
natural resources, and environmental, as well as from human society including the study of,
economic, social, cultural, and institutional and organizational dimensions. This includes
industrial commercialization, community development, social stability, and federal and
provincial government regulations and policy, that are all part of the human-environment
integrated system. Determining the most vulnerable areas and improving local community
knowledge, planning and community response networks are recognized as ways and means to
reduce the negative impacts of pending climate change. This research outlines a dynamic model
of coastal climate change for Isle Madame, designed to help the community be familiar with the
community’s vulnerable areas in order to plan and implement a strategy to adapt to
environmental change.
Description
The table of contents for this item can be shared with the requester. The requester may then choose one chapter, up to 10% of the item, as per the Fair Dealing provision of the Canadian Copyright Act
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Keywords
CLIMATE CHANGE, SEA LEVEL, CANADA--CAPE BRETON, NOVA SCOTIA, COASTAL AREAS, GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS