An analysis of coastal lagoons and barriers along the Atlantic Coast of Nova Scotia, Canada

Abstract

The province of Nova Scotia, Canada, is abundant with coastal landscapes and diverse terrain; and is the chosen study area because of the coastal lagoons that exist on the Atlantic coast. Coastal lagoons, inland waterbodies separated from the ocean by only a barrier beach, are productive and valued wetland environments for their ecosystem services and protection against shoreline erosion. This study involved the creation of an ArcGIS inventory of 873 coastal lagoons along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia that have intact barrier beaches. Additionally, time change analyses and cross-sectional profiles were completed for a select number of sites within the study area, to demonstrate how coastal lagoons are affected by ocean water levels rising at Nova Scotia’s rate of approximately 32 cm per century, and coastal change over time.<br> Results show that while many coastal lagoons exhibit sensitivity to environmental change, their rates of change vary, with some lagoons remaining relatively stable over several decades. Notably, lagoons with longer barrier beaches displayed more pronounced changes over time, particularly in response to storm surges. The study found no direct relationship between barrier beach structure (as measured by topographic profiles) and overwash frequency. However, climate-driven coastal stressors such as erosion and storm activity remain critical drivers of coastal change. This research highlights the importance of identifying and classifying coastal lagoons for land-use planning and hazard assessment. The use of historical imagery proved effective in visualizing coastal change, with room for more research as extended temporal analysis could reveal different trends. Overall, this study provides a spatial framework for understanding Nova Scotia’s coastal lagoons and why they matter in a changing climate.