Erika Lentz, PhD
I lead research at USGS within the Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program focused on coastal change— including understanding the forces and processes that drive it, developing innovative methods to determine where and when it is likely to occur, and working closely with intended users to ensure the scientific information we produce is meaningful, actionable, and accessible.
I am a Research Geologist at the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center with the U.S. Geological Survey. My research focuses on coastal change and the processes that drive it over a range of spatial (barrier island to regional) and temporal (storms to sea level rise) scales in both natural and built environments. More recently, I have been exploring how coastal change varies among different ecosystems and across landscapes, what makes certain locations more resilient than others, and where coastal change is most likely to occur in the future. I am also interested in the communication of scientific information to support decision-making and use design thinking and transdisciplinary approaches to deeply consider user needs in the development of products and tools, as well as to foster creativity and innovation in research teams. Since 2017, I have led multidisciplinary project teams to explore these themes as both Principal Investigator and task leader.
Professional Experience
Research Geologist, USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, 2016 – present
USGS Postdoctoral Researcher, USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, 2014-2016
Mendenhall Postdoctoral Researcher, USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center 2012-2014
NSF IGERT Fellow, University of Rhode Island, 2005-2007
Education and Certifications
2011, Ph.D. in Geosciences, University of Rhode Island
2003, B.A. in Geology and Sociology, George Mason University
Science and Products
Coastal Landscape- Change Predictions
National Assessment of Coastal Vulnerability to Sea Level Rise
Empowering decision-makers: A dynamic web interface for running Bayesian networks
Relative Coastal Vulnerability Assessment of National Park Units to Sea-Level Rise
Mapping Coastal Change Using Unmanned Aerial Systems: A Pilot Study
Evaluating Sea-level Rise Impacts in the Northeastern U.S.
Science and Products
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Coastal Landscape- Change Predictions
Sea-level rise (SLR) impacts on the coastal landscape are presented here as: 1) level of landscape submergence (adjusted land elevation with respect to projected mean high water levels); and 2) coastal response type characterized as either static (for example, inundation) or dynamic (for example, landform or landscape change). Results are produced at a spatial scale of 30 meters for four decades...National Assessment of Coastal Vulnerability to Sea Level Rise
The original national coastal vulnerability index (CVI) assessment was motivated by expected accelerated sea-level rise (SLR) and the uncertainty in the response of the coastline to SLR. This research was conducted between 1999 and 2001, and is currently being updated using new data sources and methodology. This original study was part of the National Assessment of Coastal Change Hazards project.Empowering decision-makers: A dynamic web interface for running Bayesian networks
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists are at the forefront of research that is critical for decision-making, particularly through the development of models (Bayesian networks, or BNs) that forecast coastal change. The utility of these tools outside the scientific community has been limited because they rely on expensive, technical software and a moderate understanding of statistical analyses. WRelative Coastal Vulnerability Assessment of National Park Units to Sea-Level Rise
The National Park Service (NPS) is responsible for managing nearly 12,000 km (7,500 miles) of shoreline along oceans and lakes. In 2001 the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in partnership with the NPS Geologic Resources Division, began conducting hazard assessments of future sea-level change by creating maps to assist NPS in managing its valuable resources. This website contains results of the...Mapping Coastal Change Using Unmanned Aerial Systems: A Pilot Study
Beaches and marshes provide critical habitat for many species of concern, including the piping plover, a shorebird which is endangered in parts of its range and threatened in others. These coastal environments also support tourism and recreation, and provide important services such as protecting infrastructure from wave inundation. Extreme storms and sea-level rise can alter these habitats, withEvaluating Sea-level Rise Impacts in the Northeastern U.S.
In 2010, 39 percent of the U.S.population lived near the coast. This population is expected to increase by 8 percent from 2010 to 2020. Coastal regions are also home to species and habitats that provide critical services to humans, such as wetlands that buffer coasts from storms. Therefore, sea-level rise and the associated changes in coastlines challenge both human communities and ecosystems. Und - Data
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