Management of the coastal zone relies heavily on our ability to appreciate and understand the complex nature of coastal processes. Modeling these processes requires the ability to combine both spatial and non-spatial information from multiple datasets. The ability of a geographic information system (GIS) to integrate physical, ecological, socioeconomic, and hazards information makes it an ideal assessment tool to support management efforts in the coastal zone. Through the use of GIS, researchers are able to model vulnerability to sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and other hazards so that decision makers have the necessary tools to protect communities and effectively manage coastal resources. The papers below summarize a variety of applications of GIS in different areas related to coastal management and serve as examples to illustrate the integrative nature, capacity, and importance of geographic information systems.
Evans, S.Y., N. Gunn, and D. Williams. 2007. Use of GIS in flood risk
mapping. National Hydrology Seminar '07. Tullamore, Ireland. 13
November 2007.
Through a case study of the Medway Estuary Strategic Flood Risk Assessment
from Kent, England, the role of GIS in integrating, organizing, processing,
and visualizing spatial data from multiple sources is illustrated. The
purpose of the assessment was to identify areas within a development plan
that were at risk to flooding so that future development planning could be
guided accordingly. The Strategic Flood Risk Assessment will provide the
basis for determining controls on development to minimize human and property
exposure to flooding hazards. The researchers used a variety of disparate
data sets including near shore bathymetry, LIDAR, flood defense asset data,
and various others to create a digital terrain model and ultimately, flood
risk and hazard maps. The maps were used to convey flood risks and flood
hazards to decision makers for incorporation in future development planning
surrounding the Medway Estuary.
Ferguson, R.L. and K. Korfmacher. 1997. Remote sensing and GIS analysis of
seagrass meadows in North Carolina, USA. Aquatic Botany. 58: 241-258.
In this area of the United States, seagrass meadows are considered to be a
valuable and vulnerable resource that supports coastal fisheries. Because
of this, it is important to locate and quantify seagrass meadows to not only
improve conservation of these areas, but also to improve fishery habitats.
Currently, the standard source data for spatial monitoring is aerial
photographs. Although they are relatively expensive to obtain, aerial
photographs do have flexibility of timing and scale of exposure; however,
the classification system for monitoring submerged land cover with these
photos falls short to what could be achieved through other methods. Using
Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) remote detection has several advantages to
aerial photography such as better spectral resolution that would result in
better classifications which could be used for seagrass monitoring. The
researchers propose that this kind of data would facilitate management of
fisheries, submerged lands, and waterways, all of which are important for
sustainable coastal zone management.
Gilman, J., D. Chapman, and R. Simons. 2001. Coastal GIS: An integrated
system for coastal management. Proceedings Coast GIS '01. Halifax,
Nova Scotia, 18-20 June 2001.
This paper describes the design and use of an integrated system made up of
two components: a GIS (ArcView) and a wave refraction model (SEAWORKS).
The GIS acts as the core of the system where bathymetry data is input to
generate a grid data structure of the study area. The data is reformatted
to be run in the SEAWORKS wave model, but then the results are visualized
and analyzed within the GIS. The system can be customized to fit specific
user requirements, like dredging applications, for example. Tools have been
developed that allow users to identify areas for sediment extraction, explore
how inshore wave heights will be impacted due to the extraction, and in turn,
how coastal morphology will be affected. Coastal models, like the one
discussed here, are the best tools we have to assess threats and the impact
of change in the coastal zone, and it is important for coastal managers to
realize the advantages of using GIS technology to enhance their understanding
of this area.
McLaughlin, S., J. McKenna, and J.A.G. Cooper. 2002. Socioeconomic data in
coastal vulnerability indices: constraints and opportunities. Journal of
Coastal Research. 36: 487-497.
Although the importance of incorporating socioeconomic variables in the
development of coastal vulnerability and sensitivity indices is generally
acknowledged, they are seldom included in a comprehensive manner. This
study seeks to address the difficulties associated with inclusion of
socioeconomic data during the development of a GIS-based Coastal
Vulnerability Index (CVI) related to wave-induced coastal erosion in
Northern Ireland. When dealing with socioeconomic data, a typical problem
that arises is in the ranking of variables, as it is often difficult to
assign meaningful values to them. Additionally, the data can change over
time as perceptions of threat and appropriate response to it, or even
policies, vary through time. McLaughlin et al. suggests that variables
should be reviewed approximately every 5 years to quantify these temporal
changes. These perceived values of coastal areas can strongly influence
management decisions and are therefore very important to include in
vulnerability assessments.
Mitasova, H., D. Bernstein, T.G. Drake, R. Harmon, C. Miller, and J. McNinch.
2003. Spatio-temporal analysis of beach morphology using LIDAR, RTK-GPS and
open source GRASS GIS. Proceedings Coastal Sediments '03. Tampa,
Florida, 18-23 May 2003.
Automated modern mapping technologies such as laser altimetry (LIDAR) and
real-time kinematic GPS (RTK-GPS) enable researchers to do repeated surveys
of coastal regions in relatively short time intervals and create time series
elevation data that provides critical information about the dynamic nature
of the morphology along the coast. These data sets, however, can be several
orders of magnitude larger than what current proprietary GIS tools were
designed for. Mitasova et al. have turned to open source software, namely
GRASS GIS, to support processing and analysis of new data sets and to have
the ability to modify code and create new applications that fit the needs of
specific coastal studies. They were able to develop methodology to allow
the study of morphological changes in multiple dimensions, to look at spatial
changes of erosion in volumes and its acceleration through time. The tools
developed here can be extended to other coastal regions where these new
insights about the evolution of the coast can be used to supply important
information to improve management practices.
Rongxing, L., C.W. Keong, E. Ramcharan, B. Kjerfve, and D. Willis. 1998. A
coastal GIS for shoreline monitoring and management: case study in Malaysia.
Surveying and Land Information Systems. 58: 157-166.
Shoreline monitoring is an important aspect of coastal management due to
increasing threats to life and property, as well as to ecosystems and
resources, posed by coastal erosion. This paper presents a GIS system
developed for shoreline erosion monitoring and management in Malaysia.
Like many coastal areas around the world, the country of Malaysia in Southeast
Asia is threatened by erosion hazards; in fact, 29% of the national shoreline
is eroding. In response, a project was launched whereby a GIS database was
created to better understand and manage shoreline erosion and coastal
engineering projects. The GIS is also used as a central coastal data
inventory unit where all relevant digital information, both spatial and
non-spatial, is pooled together in one database. Through the use of GIS,
tools were developed for quantitative analysis of erosion causes, impacts,
and future trends in Malaysia.
Vafeidis, A.T., R.J. Nicholls, L. McFadden, R.S.J. Tol, J. Hinkel, T.
Spencer, P.S. Grashoff, G. Boot, and R.J.T. Klein. 2008. A new global
coastal database for impact and vulnerability analysis to sea-level rise.
Journal of Coastal Research. 24: 917-924.
As part of the Dynamic and Interactive Assessment of National, Regional
and Global Vulnerability of Coastal Zones to Climate Change and Sea-Level
Rise (DINAS-COAST) project, a new global coastal database was developed.
The database, called the Dynamic Interactive Vulnerability Assessment (DIVA)
Coastal Database, was designed in recognition of the need to model multiple
coastal processes and their interactions simultaneously within a single,
well-structured framework. Because of its spatial nature, the database was
developed within a GIS and the world's coasts were represented as a series
of line segments that were referenced to information on more than 80 physical,
ecological, and socioeconomic parameters, including data on factors such as
waves, water quality, sediment fluxes, elevation, population distribution,
and gross domestic product density. The database is intended to be used in
global- and regional-scale impacts and vulnerability analyses to address
mitigation and adaptation to sea-level rise.
White, K. and H.M. El Asmar. 1999. Monitoring changing position of coastlines
using Thematic Mapper imagery, an example from the Nile Delta.
Geomorphology. 29: 93-105.
Monitoring coastal evolution and shoreline position is a major concern for
coastal management, especially along very dynamic coastlines where there are
considerable hazards to humans and development due to erosion. In this study
of the Nile Delta, White and Asmar examine the use of Landsat Thematic Mapper
(TM) imagery. They assert that the synoptic capability of remote sensing
provides a useful tool for monitoring large sections of coastline at
relatively coarse (30 m) spatial resolution. In this way, areas of rapid
change can be identified and targeted for more detailed field surveys.
Moreover, Landsat TM imagery can be used to update maps and monitor rates
of sediment redistribution along the coastline. This larger scale, regional
approach is a great step forward in coastal management.
Wood, N.J. and J.W. Good. 2004. Vulnerability of port and harbor communities
to earthquake and tsunami hazards: the use of GIS in community hazard
planning. Coastal Management. 32:243-269.
This article shows how researchers used GIS to assess the vulnerability of
an Oregon port and harbor community (the city of Newport, located on the
Yaquina River) to earthquake and tsunami hazards. A vulnerability assessment
not only identifies the potential for loss of life and property, but also
considers the loss of significant economic, social, and environmental
resources. The integration of these various datasets can be done effectively
within a GIS so that local decision makers can examine vulnerability at a
community level, as opposed to traditional site-specific assessments. The
researchers created a community vulnerability "hotspot" map that illustrates
what areas of the community have the highest occurrences of hazards and
community resources so that coastal managers and decision makers can set
investment priorities and develop mitigation and preparedness management
plans.
Wu, S., B. Yarnal, and A. Fisher. 2002. Vulnerability of coastal communities
to sea-level rise: a case study of Cape May County, New Jersey, USA.
Climate Research. 22: 255-270.
This study applies a GIS-based methodology to assess the vulnerability of
Cape May County, New Jersey, to flood hazards associated with coastal storms
as sea-level continues to rise. Using GIS, physical and social
vulnerabilities can be combined to get a sense of the present overall
vulnerability of the county, as well as how this will change in the future
by using sea-level rise projections. The results of this case study show
that sea-level rise will increase the amount of land area exposed to high
and very high flood risk, significantly increasing the vulnerability of the
county by putting an increased number of critical facilities, properties,
and people in the high-risk zone. With this information, it should be
realized that decision makers can act to reduce vulnerability by steering
development away from high-risk areas.
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