Aysen Ergin

Coastal Scenery: Appreciation and Evaluation

Abstract Twenty-six parameters have been selected that delineate coastal scenery. These were obtained via consultation between coastal users and experts in the field. The parameters were assessed as to their priorities and weightings given. Application of fuzzy logic techniques enabled a decision parameter (D) to be calculated for any coastal scene. Over 100 worldwide coastal sites were analysed via the technique and a five-class differentiation obtained from D values.

Improving Coastal Vulnerability Assessments to Sea-Level Rise: A New Indicator-Based Methodology for Decision Makers

Abstract Integration of impacts of sea-level rise to coastal zone management practices are performed through coastal vulnerability assessments. Out of the types of vulnerability assessments, a proposed model demonstrated that relative vulnerability of different coastal environments to sealevel rise may be quantified using basic information that includes coastal geomorphology, rate of sea-level rise, and past shoreline evolution for the National Assessment of Coastal Vulnerability to Sea-Level Rise for U.S. Coasts. The proposed methodology focuses on identifying those regions where the various effects of sea-level rise may be the greatest. However, the vulnerability cannot be directly equated with particular physical effects. Thus, using this concept as a starting point, a coastal vulnerability matrix and a coastal vulnerability index that use indicators of impacts of sea-level rise are developed. The developed model compares and ranks different regions according to their vulnerabilities while prioritizing particular impacts of sea-level rise of the region. In addition, the developed model determines most vulnerable parameters for adaptation measures within the integrated coastal zone management concept. Using available regional data, each parameter is assigned a vulnerability rank of very low to very high (1–5) within the developed coastal vulnerability matrix to calculate impact sub-indices and the overall vulnerability index. The developed methodology and Thieler and Hammar-Klose the proposed methodology were applied to the Göksu Delta, Turkey. It is seen that the Göksu Delta shows moderate to high vulnerability to sea-level rise. The outputs of the two models indicate that although both models assign similar levels of vulnerability for the overall region, which is in agreement with common the literature, the results differ significantly when in various parts of the region is concerned. Overall, the proposed Thieler and Hammar-Klose method assigns higher vulnerability ranges than does the developed coastal vulnerability index sea-level rise (CVI-SLR) model. A histogram of physical parameters and human influence parameters enables enable decision makers to determine the controllable values using the developed model.

The use of multivariate statistical techniques to establish beach debris pollution sources

ABSTRACT Beach litter found along the Bristol Channel and the coastline of mid-Wales, UK, together with litter obtained from Turkey, Malta, Spain, Tunisia and U.S.A. tourist beaches, and litter gathered from rural roads in Gloucestershire, England, UK, was analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA). PCA distinguished between riverine, sewage-related debris and shipping/fishing source items, but sourcing beach user litter was more problematic. This was attributed to a difference in litter transport mechanisms. PCA for the Bristol Channel distinguished between riverine and marine sources (inner vs. outer channel) and also a sewage sourced group. PCA indicated a land-based source for marine debris found on Mediterranean and USA beaches together with roadside litter from England. Three ‘litter markers’ introduced into the analyses, were comprised of different source groupings: ‘vessels’ (both fishing and other sea going vessels), ‘beach users’, and sewage-related debris (SRD). The former stood out from the latter two markers with beach user and SRD markers appearing to be indistinguishable. The item numbers in each group were six, five and three respectively and this could account for the findings.

The Hazards of Beach Litter

Marine and beach litter include items that have been made and discarded into the marine environment by people. Over the past few decades concern has been growing regarding the amounts of litter that accumulate on beaches and seas. Litter issues have become very widespread of late due to public awareness and concern for environmental issues. Beach litter is sourced from three areas: marine, industrial and domestic wastes dumped at sea and riverine and beach litter. Such debris mars beach enjoyment, has safety implications (e.g. glass, syringes), needs cultural/attitudinal changes in order to reduce and prevent waste reaching both sea, and beaches. Irrespective of source, litter, the main culprit being plastics, is ubiquitous on global beaches and a perennial problem for any coastal manager. Plastics alone amount to some 265m tonnes worldwide much being recreational litter. Current litter policy must be geared to stopping it at source. Recycling plastics is often seen as a panacea to reducing such waste with many countries pushing for higher targets year by year. Current recycling policy is questionable, lacking workable solutions; in effect, a ‘knowledge lag’ exists with money being the inevitable forcing function. Figures from the USA show that just 33.4% of plastics are recycled; work done by WRAP in the UK suggest that 45% is achievable. Comparable and reliable methods to evaluate beach plastic litter are currently the weakest point of this particular scientific community. Marine debris can have serious effects on wildlife and their ecosystems; in some instances, such occurrences will be lethal. Clearly, it is essential that beach litter surveys obtain a representative sample by looking at annual litter counts; baseline studies should identify material types. Litter itself constitutes a serious hazard as shown from a number of previous studies, which suggest environmental quality and public health needs to be considered as key indicators. A universal approach inclusive of stringent regulations, particularly for plastic must be developed; incisive, risk-taking innovative technologies, especially in the chemistry of plastics are needed in order to solve the challenges ahead. In essence, to change the way we think about the environment.

A statistical riverine litter propagation model.

A statistical riverine litter propagation (RLP) model based on importance sampling Monte Carlo (ISMC) simulation was developed in order to predict the frequency distribution of certain litter types in river reaches. The model was preliminarily calibrated for plastic sheeting by a pilot study conducted on the River Taff, Wales (UK). Litter movement was predominantly controlled by reach characteristics, such as vegetation overhang and water-course obstructions. These affects were modeled in the simulations, by utilizing geometric distributions of river reaches in the time domain. The proposed model satisfactorily simulated the dosing experiments performed at the River Taff. It was concluded from the preliminary calibrations that, the RLP model can be efficiently utilized to portray litter propagation at any arbitrarily selected river site, provided that the stream flows and reach characteristics are calibrated by representative probability distributions of similar sections. Therefore, the RLP model can be considered as a new statistical technique that can predict litter propagation in river sections.

A Quantitative Study for Evaluation of Coastal Scenery

Abstract Scenery is a resource that has to be evaluated in an objective and quantitative manner to provide a means of comparison against other resource considerations and environmental impact assessments. This article presents the results of a quantitative evaluation of coastal scenery, enhancing the previous public survey questionnaires for Turkey, the U.K., Malta, and Croatia. The technique developed to evaluate coastal scenery uses 26 scenic parameters (of both physical and perceptual characteristics) for the four countries listed above and also for Australia, Ireland, the United States, New Zealand, and Japan, assembled via consultations with coastal users and experts. The weights of the scenic parameters are estimated and, together with a checklist that uses a fuzzy mathematics approach, an evaluation index (D) for each site is estimated for 86 worldwide coastal regions. These sites are further classified into five categories according to the D values they achieved. The results show that human impacts may adversely affect the coastal scenic value of a site. Comparison between assessment grades from experts and those from the public showed good agreement, specifically for human parameters. The results could be quite useful as a guideline for assessing, designing, and managing coastal areas when decisions must be made regarding intensive urban and industrial developments.

Application of a novel bathing area evaluation technique - a case study of Croatian Island beaches.

Abstract By virtue of their high potential for recreation for both local and overseas tourism, bathing areas represent valuable national resources requiring effective management. Increased leisure time enhances the desirability of such recreational areas and increased public awareness of health and safety issues, raises expectations of quality and desire of choice, thereby raising the need for an effective bathing area classification scheme. To date, most approaches consider single or a limited number of issues such as safety or health and fail to address the variety of bathing area types represented in the field, not least by their ubiquitous reference to beaches, rather than an all encompassing ‘bathing area’. In this pilot study, a novel bathing area classification scheme that considered safety, water quality, facilities, scenery and litter was applied to recreational areas on the Croatian Dalmatian coast with the purpose of presenting this new technique to a wider audience, demonstrating method application and identifying method evolution and potential improvement. Field application carried out in an exploratory and investigative manner assessed the techniques scope for application and its potential for improvement in view of the wide spectrum of bathing area types encountered in the field. Fourteen sites were evaluated, including remote, rural, village, urban and resort bathing areas. Results provided a preliminary baseline evaluation of classification, with a clear indication of management effort required for improved bathing area quality as well as a unique opportunity for method evolution and improvement.

Coastal Scenery: An Introduction

Coastal tourism includes those recreational activities which involve travel away from one’s place of residence which has as their host or focus the coastal zone. This industry necessarily depends on the coastal environment to attract tourists. Excellant scenery is maybe the prime factor considered by a potential tourist when is time to choose a coastal vacation destination. Coastal scenery management, a controlled tourism growth, an enhancing of the product, the constant upgrading of the quality of offer and service, as well a diversified clientele, can be considered as critical points for an ideal tourism development that will satisfy both visitors and those whose livelihood depends on it.

Two-Dimensional Depth-Averaged Beach Evolution Modeling: Case Study of the Kizilirmak River Mouth, Turkey

AbstractThis study presents an application of a two-dimensional beach evolution model to a shoreline change problem at the Kizilirmak River mouth, which has been facing severe coastal erosion problems for more than 20 years. The shoreline changes at the Kizilirmak River mouth have been thus far investigated by satellite images, physical model tests, and one-dimensional numerical models. The current study uses a two-dimensional depth-averaged numerical beach evolution model, developed based on existing methodologies. This model is mainly composed of four main submodels: a phase-averaged spectral wave transformation model, a two-dimensional depth-averaged numerical wave-induced circulation model, a sediment transport model, and a bottom evolution model. To validate and verify the numerical model, it is applied to several cases of laboratory experiments. Later, the model is applied to a shoreline change problem at the groin field to the east of the Kizilirmak River mouth at the Bafra alluvial plain. The resu...

Reliability-Based Risk Assessment of Rubble Mound Breakwaters Under Tsunami Attack

ABSTRACT In the reliability-based risk assessment, the second order reliability index (βII) method and the Conditional Expectation Monte Carlo (CEMC) simulation were utilised in order to analyse the safety levels of Haydarpasa Port main breakwater, Sea of Marmara, Turkey. The failure probability was forecasted in the βII method by approximating the Hudson performance surface with a second-degree polynomial having an equal curvature at the design point where the design and structural parameters were taken into consideration. In the past, applications of reliability-based risk assessment methodology in Turkey for design conditions, only wave characteristics, tidal range, storm surge, wave set-up and the structural system parameters were included. Tsunami risk was not considered a major design parameter and was not included in the computations. In this study, a structural stability criterion in coastal engineering is suggested to achieve a common definition of reliability including the tsunami risk. The model introduced in this study is a practical technique for reliability-based risk assessment of breakwaters subject to tsunami risk. In order to determine the occurrence probability under design conditions, which is a function of storm waves, tidal range, storm surge and tsunami height, the CEMC simulation was interrelated with the βII method. From the reliability-based risk assessment model applied to Haydarpasa port as a pilot study in Turkey it was found that, inclusion of the tsunami risk increases the failure risk of the structure, and as lifetime of the structure increases, the impact of tsunami risk on the failure mechanism is more important. For Haydarpasa port main breakwater, tsunami was not the key design parameter when compared to storm wave, however, in places with great seismic activity, tsunami risk may be very significant depending on the occurrence probability and the magnitude of the tsunami.