Estuarine shoreline erosion exposes a Native American shell midden beneath the surface of a coastal flatwood forest. Shell middens are the discarded shells and materials from generations of Indigenous people who lived along U.S. coastlines.
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Estuarine shoreline erosion exposes a Native American shell midden beneath the surface of a coastal flatwood forest. Shell middens are the discarded shells and materials from generations of Indigenous people who lived along U.S. coastlines.

These shells are what remains of a Native American shell midden that is located along an actively eroding shoreline in Apalachicola Bay.
These shells are what remains of a Native American shell midden that is located along an actively eroding shoreline in Apalachicola Bay.
Two shards of Native American pottery found at shell midden site that is located on an actively eroding shoreline of Apalachicola Bay. The shards show distinctive markings created by paleo Indians thousands of years ago.
Two shards of Native American pottery found at shell midden site that is located on an actively eroding shoreline of Apalachicola Bay. The shards show distinctive markings created by paleo Indians thousands of years ago.

The estuarine shoreline of barrier islands along the Gulf of America are vulnerable to shoreline erosion. Structures, such as this rock breakwater, can be used to protect the shoreline from erosional waves.
The estuarine shoreline of barrier islands along the Gulf of America are vulnerable to shoreline erosion. Structures, such as this rock breakwater, can be used to protect the shoreline from erosional waves.
The estuarine (backbarrier) shoreline of barrier islands in Gulf of America are complex, ecologically diverse habitats that are under threat due to human development, sea level rise, and storms.
The estuarine (backbarrier) shoreline of barrier islands in Gulf of America are complex, ecologically diverse habitats that are under threat due to human development, sea level rise, and storms.
Screenshot of the Sea-Level Rise Visualization for Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida Data Viewer. The data viewer is an interactive map that illustrates the scale of potential flooding.
Screenshot of the Sea-Level Rise Visualization for Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida Data Viewer. The data viewer is an interactive map that illustrates the scale of potential flooding.