Fragile barrier islands are important nesting habitat for focal species of the Gulf Coast Prairie Landscape Conservation Cooperative, such as brown pelicans, sea turtles, and black skimmers. Assessing the vulnerability of coastal ecosystems at a Gulf of Mexico-wide scale has become even more important in the wake of several destructive storms (e.g. Katrina, Rita, and Ike) and the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.