Valuing Coastal Nature-Based Solutions: Investigating Preferences, Perceptions, and Policies for Coastal Adaptation in Florida

Coastal communities are increasingly threatened by the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation. The use of coastal nature-based solutions (NbS) is being explored to address these threats and to provide additional societal benefits. However, coastal NbS is met with concerns of coastline users regarding trade-offs between coastline uses thereby challenging their implementation. Despite these challenges, there are considerable efforts to engage in the inclusive planning and design of coastal NbS. This thesis applies an interdisciplinary lens of Environmental Economics and Policy Analysis to evaluate the social, economic, and institutional factors that shape the planning and implementation of coastal NBS in Florida. This thesis is divided into four chapters: Chapter 1 provides an overview of nature-based solutions, its origins, definitions, and the theoretical framework (transformative adaptation) guiding this thesis. Chapter 2 investigates residential preferences toward hard vs. nature-based solutions (i.e., seawalls vs. mangroves) using a quantitative survey (a choice experiment) and logit models. This chapter provides dollar estimates of how much residents in Miami-Dade County are willing-to-pay for project options that support coastal protection as well as distinguishes socio-economic profiles of residents who prefer to ‘take action’ versus ‘no action’ to reduce coastal risk. Chapter 3 draws from expert perceptions and coastal management policies toward coastal nature-based solutions in Florida (i.e., living shorelines) using an integrated methodology of semi-structured interviews and policy documentary analysis. This chapter is discussed in two parts: the first part reveals perceived barriers and enablers of Florida living shorelines and the second part contextualizes priority patterns of coastal management policies in select Southeast Florida counties. Finally, Chapter 4 provides key messages for Florida decision-makers drawn from major findings of this dissertation as well as recommendations for future research.