Molly Mitchell

Assistant Professor of Ecosystem Health

Office/Department: Center for Coastal Resources Management
Team Role: Member
Contact Information: {{https://www.vims.edu/people/mitchell_mm/,Directory Page}}
About: My research interests focus on shifts in coastal resources due to the interaction of sea level rise and human-driven changes. Although primarily an ecologist, I work on projects involving physical dynamics (sea level rise trend analysis, shoreline geology) and human decision-making (social vulnerability, sea level rise adaptation, adaptive management application). Changes in shoreline resources are dependent both on the physical processes that drive the natural dynamics of the coastal system and the way in which humans react to those changes. Coastal adaptation (shoreline stabilization, flood walls, etc.) change the physical characteristics of the systems and affect the natural adaptations of the ecological system. Understanding the interaction of these different disciplines is critical to projecting the future of our coastal resources.