Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) Practice Exam

What is a consequence of coastal flooding?

1. Decrease in water salinity

2. Receding or accreting shoreline

3. Increase in coastal biodiversity

4. Formation of new islands

The correct answer is: Receding or accreting shoreline

Coastal flooding is defined as the overflow of water from an ocean or other body of water onto nearby coastal areas. One of the consequences of this phenomenon is a receding or accreting shoreline. This means that the shoreline may either move back or advance depending on the amount of water being pushed onto land. Option A, decrease in water salinity, is incorrect because coastal flooding usually involves saltwater and therefore would not result in a decrease in water salinity. Option C, increase in coastal biodiversity, is also incorrect because while it may introduce new species to the affected area, it also can result in the displacement or harm of existing species. Option D, formation of new islands, is incorrect because although coastal flooding may create temporary land masses, they do not have the necessary conditions to sustain long-term island formation. Therefore, the most accurate answer is B, receding or accreting