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Aquatic Priority Conservation Areas (APCA) Update
Nunez, Karinna Schatt, Daniel Riscassi Duning, Catherine
Nunez, Karinna
Schatt, Daniel
Riscassi Duning, Catherine
Abstract
The Coastal Virginia Ecological Value Assessment (VEVA) is a comprehensive geospatial framework designed to guide land and water conservation across Virginia’s Coastal Zone. Developed collaboratively by multiple state agencies, including the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), VEVA integrates the best available spatial data and expert knowledge to prioritize ecologically significant terrestrial and aquatic areas. This tool informs decisions around land use planning, habitat conservation, restoration, and climate resilience. As part of VEVA, the Aquatic Priority Conservation Areas (APCA) layer developed by VIMS identifies aquatic habitats and estuarine systems of high ecological value. In 2023–2024, VIMS led a significant update of the APCA layer, building upon foundational work dating back to 2008 and 2017 and incorporating feedback from the Virginia Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program and other stakeholders. The update included both a comprehensive review and refinement of existing layers in VEVA and the integration of new data to account for sea level rise, marsh vulnerability, and nature-based shoreline protection strategies.
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2025-04-01
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Center for Coastal Resources Management (CCRM)
CCRM Research and Reports, Keywords: Aquatic Priority Conservation Areas, Coastal Virginia Ecological Value Assessment
Citation
Nunez, K., Schatt, D., & Duning, C. (2025). Aquatic Priority Conservation Areas (APCA) update: Final project report. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Center for Coastal Resources Management. Submitted to the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. doi.org/10.25773/HNFK-MK39
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Virginia Institute of Marine Science
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https://doi.org/10.25773/HNFK-MK39