Emily Patrolia (MAMA ’16) and her colleagues recently published an article in the Marine Policy journal titled, The influence of weather on the recreational uses of coastal lagoons in Rhode Island, USA. Through direct observations of human activities on RI’s coastal lagoons, the study assesses the sensitivity of coastal recreational uses to changes in weather conditions. The lagoons along southern RI’s coast are valued highly for the wide range of recreational services they provide, such as fishing, clamming, rowing, boating, or merely relaxing.

The study’s findings suggest that if future changes in climate bring warmer temperatures and more intense wind and rain events, there may be a decrease in relaxing, rowing, and fishing on coastal lagoons when days are hotter and a decrease in rowing and fishing when days are windier. Nevertheless, warmer temperatures also may lengthen the summers, leading to an overall increase in the peak coastal recreation season. However, during the hottest periods, there may be a shift toward more motor boating and away from other uses, motor boaters were more resistant than other users to changes when temperatures increase. Understanding how weather and climate influence coastal recreation could help coastal managers and businesses better plan for the future in Rhode Island and other coastal environments worldwide.

Emily is currently a John A. Knauss Sea Grant Fellow for the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard for the Majority.

To read Emily’s full article, check out: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X16305802.