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Integrated coastal simulation to support shoreline management planning

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Mike Walkden, Professor Jim Hall, Professor Richard DawsonORCiD, Dr Jeremy Lowe

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Abstract

Shoreline Management Plans in the UK are currently at a key stage with many now being updated in a second round. These SMPs need to be technically robust, integrating flood risk and coastal erosion in the context of climate change, spatial planning, habitat protection and the need for stakeholder engagement. This paper describes ongoing research by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, in partnership with the Environment Agency, to develop a coastal simulator that addresses these complex questions within an integrated framework, and hence supports better decisions. The simulator provides information on the possible future states of the coast under a range of climate and socio-economic futures and shoreline management options. Currently, it is mainly focused on cell 3 and sub-cell 3b (East Anglia), in particular, but the method is designed to be generic. The approach is based on a series of linked models within a nested framework which recognises three spatial scales: (1) global; (2) regional (e.g. North Sea); and (3) the simulator domain (a physiographic unit such as sub-cell 3b). The linked models describe climate (waves, surges and mean sea level), sand bank morphodynamics, wave transformation, shoreline morphodynamics, the evolving built environment, ecosystem change, and erosion and flood risk, while shoreline management scenarios are developed with relevant stakeholders. A dedicated user interface which allows a wide range of queries is also critical to the simulator. The initial results demonstrate important linkages for shoreline management, such as the interaction between erosion management and flood risk on within a sub-cell. Deliverying improved shoreline management raises important social and political issues which the Tyndall Centre is also addressing.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Nicholls R, Watkinson A, Mokrech M, Hanson S, Richards R, Wright J, Jude S, Nicholson-Cole S, Walkden M, Hall JW, Dawson RJ, Stansby P, Jacoub G, Rounsvell M, Fontain C, Acosta L, Lowe JP, Wolf J

Publication type: Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstract)

Publication status: Unknown

Conference Name: 42nd DEFRA Conference on Flood and Coastal Defence

Year of Conference: 2007


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