What environmental issue increasingly threatens beach front property in states like Delaware and Maine?

Erosion is a significant environmental issue threatening beachfront properties in states such as Delaware and Maine. Coastal erosion occurs when waves, currents, and tides wear away the shore, leading to a loss of land. This can be exacerbated by rising sea levels, which are a consequence of climate change and can lead to more severe erosion. Coastal properties, homes, and ecosystems become increasingly vulnerable due to this process, raising concerns for homeowners, local economies, and conservation efforts.

The other options touch upon important environmental concerns but do not directly address the immediate threat to beachfront properties. Pollution can affect water quality and marine life but is not as directly impactful on land loss. Overdevelopment can lead to habitat destruction and strain local resources, but it’s not the core issue of removing land itself. Invasive species can disrupt local ecosystems but typically do not pose the same immediate physical threat to properties as erosion does. Thus, erosion remains the primary risk to coastal areas in these states.