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Impacts ofHurnan Adaptation on Species and Habitats In addition to the direct impacts of habitat loss resulting from sea level rise, ecosystems and species may also be impacted by human adaptation strategies implemented in response to SLR. Under the exist- ing nationwide permit for shore protection, almost any owner of a small or medium -sized lot is allowed to erect shore protection structures that prevent ecosystems, such as tidal marshes, from migrating inland. Although it is currently difficult to predict where such future armoring will take place, a recent study attempted to quantify the potential for future armoring in the mid - Atlantic region using a survey approach (Titus et al. 2009). Based on 131 state and local land use plans, Titus et al. (2009) estimated that almost 60% of the land below one meter along the coastline of the Atlantic will be hardened to protect public and private property from the impacts of sea level rise (Figure 3 -12, Table 3 -6). Currently, 28% of dry land within 1 meter above tidal wetlands is devel- oped and most likely will continue to be armored, while an additional 14% of lands within 1 meter above tidal wetlands have some existing development or are expected to be developed in the future. By contrast, only 3 % of land area within 1 meter above tidal wetlands is set aside for conservation or in some type of protected status. Shoreline protection or armoring resulting from the threat of sea level rise is likely to threaten coastal wetlands by preventing inland migration of wetlands in response to SLR. In order to maintain wetland areas under SLR wetlands will need to migrate inland, which may be difficult given that less than 10% of coastal lands are currently protected and is likely impossible in areas where armoring has occurred (Titus et al. 2009). In North Carolina, some of the areas more likely to be armored include barrier islands near Nags Head, areas along the southern coast southeast of Wilmington, and areas on the Albermarle Peninsula (Figure 3 -13, Titus et al. 2009). Photo: Bulkbeading, www.vims.edu 82 Chapter 3: Projected Impacts of Climate Change in North Carolina