Nearshore Ice - Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island with its sandstone bedrock and dynamic sandy beaches is very sensitive to the effects of sea-level rise. The north shore of PEI National Park is exposed to the Gulf of St. Lawrence and large waves and storm surge. By monitoring the nearshore ice, the level of PEI National Park’s coastal protection against erosion during the winter months can be assessed. The combination of rising sea levels, increased storm intensities, and higher waves is predicted to lead to increased flooding, infrastructure loss, and increased erosion in coastal areas. By monitoring nearshore sea ice we can anticipate climate change effects on coastal morphology. Prior to the 2013-2014 ice season, field measurements were taken to calculate a Total Nearshore Ice Protection Index based on the number of weeks nearshore ice was present and the extent of ice coverage along the shoreline between December 15th and April 15th. Beginning in December of 2013, time-lapse photography methods were adopted to measure nearshore ice and the number of days the nearshore ice complex is present. Ice presence from weekly monitoring, prior to 2013-2014 ice season, was converted to daily records based on the weekly data and field observations (i.e. ice abundance) to allow for comparisons with the more recent, photographic-generated data. This data is used to determine if the number of days with nearshore ice protection along the coast of Prince Edward Island National Park is within the expected historical range and has this number remained stable over time?