Fellow Project: Diverse Knowledge Systems in the Northeast United States Drive Dynamic Adaptation
Learn about the research of Cielo Angelica Sharkus, a 2022 Diverse Knowledge Systems Fellow.
Fellow Information
- Cielo Angelica Sharkus, University of Massachusetts-Amherst
- Fellowship: 2022 Diverse Knowledge Systems Fellow
- Mentor: Holly Embke, Midwest CASC
Project Summary
Increases in extreme precipitation are expected to worsen flooding impacts across the Northeastern United States. Flooding has detrimental consequences beyond damage to infrastructure, as it may induce the spread of invisible contaminants and sediment to fisheries, wildlife, and farmland. This project examines diverse knowledge systems and adaptation to flooding in a case study community in the Connecticut River Basin. The Connecticut River Basin is the largest river system in New England and contains one of the largest Puerto Rican settlement areas in the United States after Hurricane Maria. This project provides an opportunity to understand how adaptation strategies of Puerto Rican community members evolve and change under regional climate variation and estimated flood hazards. We use thematic analysis and semi-structured interviews to understand local knowledge systems and drivers of climate adaptation. We then use a hydrologic model (HEC-HMS) coupled with a sediment transport model (HEC-Ras) to evaluate changes in sediment load and river habitats under several climate scenarios. We employ computational geospatial analysis and science communication to synthesize scientific, practitioner, and local knowledge systems into a coordinated flood risk and adaptation assessment tool that may be used in policy development and participatory action research.
Learn about the research of Cielo Angelica Sharkus, a 2022 Diverse Knowledge Systems Fellow.
Fellow Information
- Cielo Angelica Sharkus, University of Massachusetts-Amherst
- Fellowship: 2022 Diverse Knowledge Systems Fellow
- Mentor: Holly Embke, Midwest CASC
Project Summary
Increases in extreme precipitation are expected to worsen flooding impacts across the Northeastern United States. Flooding has detrimental consequences beyond damage to infrastructure, as it may induce the spread of invisible contaminants and sediment to fisheries, wildlife, and farmland. This project examines diverse knowledge systems and adaptation to flooding in a case study community in the Connecticut River Basin. The Connecticut River Basin is the largest river system in New England and contains one of the largest Puerto Rican settlement areas in the United States after Hurricane Maria. This project provides an opportunity to understand how adaptation strategies of Puerto Rican community members evolve and change under regional climate variation and estimated flood hazards. We use thematic analysis and semi-structured interviews to understand local knowledge systems and drivers of climate adaptation. We then use a hydrologic model (HEC-HMS) coupled with a sediment transport model (HEC-Ras) to evaluate changes in sediment load and river habitats under several climate scenarios. We employ computational geospatial analysis and science communication to synthesize scientific, practitioner, and local knowledge systems into a coordinated flood risk and adaptation assessment tool that may be used in policy development and participatory action research.