A relative wave exposure index for the coastal zone of the Scotian Shelf-Bay of Fundy Bioregion

Exposure to wind-driven waves forms a key physical gradient in coastal areas that influences both ecological communities and human activities in the nearshore. For example, gradients in wave exposure are associated with patterns of diversity, abundance, and distribution of invertebrate communities along rocky shores (Norderhaug et al. 2012, Arribas et al. 2014). Exposure also influences important vegetated biogenic habitats such as seagrass and kelp beds through effects on primary productivity (Krumhansl & Scheibling 2011a, Krumhansl et al. 2021), resilience (Krumhansl et al. 2021), distribution and landscape patterns (Fonseca & Bell 1998, Bekkby et al. 2008), detrital export (Krumhansl & Scheibling 2011a), and rates of herbivory (Krumhansl & Scheibling 2011b, Frey & Gagnon 2015). Spatial variation and changes in the wave environment also impact human use of the coastal zone. For example, exposure factors into siting of ocean-based aquaculture operations (Lader et al. 2017) and decisions related to the development and adaptation of coastal infrastructure in the face of a changing climate (Hatcher & Forbes 2015). Therefore, the availability of wave exposure indices with regional coverage at a relatively high spatial resolution is required to support ecological modelling as well as marine spatial planning that guide the conservation and use of coastal ocean resources.