How does sea level rise affect coastal areas?

Sea level rise primarily affects coastal areas by causing increased flooding and erosion. As water levels rise, low-lying coastal regions become more vulnerable to regular inundation during high tides and storm surges. This can lead to more frequent and severe flooding, which can damage infrastructure, displace populations, and degrade natural habitats.

Moreover, higher sea levels contribute to the erosion of coastlines. The additional water increases the hydraulic force acting on the shoreline, leading to the removal of sand and soil. This erosion can significantly alter coastal landscapes, reducing the land available for human use and impacting ecosystems that rely on stable shorelines.

In contrast, while some might think that rising sea levels could lead to new ecosystems forming or the enhancement of biodiversity, these processes are often slow and depend on a variety of factors, including geological features and existing environmental conditions. Increased flooding and erosion typically have immediate and negative impacts on human activity and ecosystems alike, making option C the most accurate representation of the effects of sea level rise on coastal areas.