Nelson Rangel-Buitrago

Risk Assessment of Storms in Coastal Zones: Case Studies from Cartagena (Colombia) and Cadiz (Spain)

This chapter deals with examination of existing risk assessment methods related to this topic carried out on a global basis; evidently, such a list is not exhaustive. In past decades, the increase of human occupation and interests along coastal areas (Crowell et al. 2010) as well as in the knowledge of coastal processes and associated hazards (Komar 1998; Méndez-Lázaro et al. 2014), favored elaboration for several coastal sectors around the world, of vulnerability maps obtained through the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS), computer-assisted multivariate analysis and numerical models (LOICZ 1995). In Europe, and specifically Northern Ireland (UK), McLaughlin et al. (2002) developed a GIS based coastal vulnerability index at local, regional and national scales. In Germany, Burzel et al. (2010) elaborated integrated flood risk analysis for extreme storm surges for an estuarine area and an exposed island. De Pippo et al. (2008) and Anfuso and Martinez (2009) respectively analysed vulnerability of coastal sectors located in Campania and Sicily (Italy). Özyurt et al. (2008), Özyurt and Ergin (2009, 2010) and Ergin (2011) proposed an assessment method to determine the associated vulnerability to Sea level Rise for different coastal areas in Turkey. With respect to Spain, Sánchez-Arcilla et al. (1998) evaluated the Ebro delta vulnerability over different time scales and Di Paola et al. (2011) investigated coastal vulnerability of the Canary Islands. Mendoza and Jiménez (2006, 2009) and Bosom and Jiménez (2011) analysed coastal vulnerability of the Catalonian coast to storm events. Malvárez and Domínguez (2000), Domínguez et al. (2005), Del Rio and Gracia (2009) and Santos et al. (2013) assessed vulnerability for different coastal sectors of Andalusia; meanwhile maps concerning the entire regional territory have been elaborated by Ojeda-Zújar et al. (2009). In Portugal, vulnerability maps have been elaborated by Coelho et al. (2009), Ceia et al. (2010) and Carrasco et al. (2012), among others. In Morocco, Snoussi et al. (2008), Anfuso and Nachite (2011) and Raji et al. (2013) investigated coastal vulnerability to Sea Level Rise and storm events.

Bad Practice in Erosion Management: The Southern Sicily Case Study

This case study from Sicily illustrates a common sequence of events where one unwise action was countered with another, which in turn created additional problems. The situation arose through strong political interference and ignorance (or lack of concern) regarding the environmental impacts of human interventions on the shoreline and by the public perception that government has a duty to protect private property. The poor design and location of ports and harbours produced infilling problems and huge updrift accretion with concomitant downdrift erosion. The human-induced coastal retreat was counteracted by the progressive emplacement of breakwaters creating a “domino” effect. On many occasions these were constructed to protect unplanned and illegal (in the sense that they do not conform to planning regulations) beachfront summer houses. Without the presence of these structures, there would have been no need for publicly funded intervention.

Beach litter and woody-debris colonizers on the Atlantico department Caribbean coastline, Colombia

Some marine invertebrates can inhabit floating substrates, and raft over long distances, becoming a significant environmental problem in terms of alien species and habitat disruption. On the Atlantico Department beaches (Colombia) woody debris and plastic litter dominate (86%) the types of refuse on the beaches with their densities ranging from 0.82-1.72 items m-1. Such litter and woody debris generate the optimal conditions for floating colonizers. In this work, 26 beaches were surveyed, and 16 of them (62%) were found to have marine fauna using litter and woody debris as a substrate for potential rafting and dispersal. Serpulidae polychaete tubes, goose barnacles Lepas (Anatifa) anserifera Linnaeus, 1767, and the bryozoans Arbopercula tenella (Hincks, 1880), Arbopercula angulata (Levinsen, 1909), plus three unidentified species were found colonizing woody debris, seeds, plastic and glass bottles. These findings of woody debris and litter facilitating the arrival and dispersal of non-native species on this coast, demonstrate that preventive management of such refuse in coastal habitats goes beyond simply preserving coastal esthetics.

Wave Climate, Storminess, and Northern Hemisphere Teleconnection Patterns Influences: The Outer Bristol Channel, South Wales, U.K.

ABSTRACT Rangel-Buitrago, N.G.; Thomas, T.; Phillips, M.R.; Anfuso, G., and Williams, A.T., 2016. Wave climate, storminess, and northern hemisphere teleconnection patterns influences: The Outer Bristol Channel, South Wales, U.K. This paper investigates potential climate-change impacts on the Outer Bristol Channel (Wales, U.K.) by analysing a 15-year wave-buoy dataset (1998–2013) to characterise wave climate and storms. The research showed that the increasing storminess experienced during the latter half of the 20th century did not, as expected, continue into the first decades of the 21st century; however, the wave climate showed clear cyclic variation in average monthly significant wave height (Hs), with low values occurring between May and August (Hs < 1.4 m, Hsmax < 6 m) and a minimum in August (Hs = 1.3 m, Hsmax = 5.2 m). Monthly mean wave power was 27.4 kwm−1, with a maximum of 951 kwm−1 during December. The 267 storm events were recorded during the assessment period. Storm-severity distribution presented a log-normal trend, with weak and moderate events making up 73% of the record (125 and 69 events, respectively); significant (18%), severe (4%), and extreme (6%) storms resulting in 73 events that are more destructive made up the remainder of the record. Fifty-five percent of the monthly averaged wave variations, wave power, and storminess indices are linked to several teleconnection patterns, the most relevant being the Arctic Oscillation, with 23.45%, the North Atlantic Oscillation, with 20.65%, and the East Atlantic with 10.9%. This kind of characterization is essential for design considerations to any proposed developments within the Bristol Channel that affect the coastal zone, e.g., the proposed design of the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon, which is capable of generating over 542,000 MWhyr−1 of renewable energy.

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.

Troubles in the paradise: Litter and its scenic impact on the North Santa Catarina island beaches, Brazil

Eight touristic beaches along the north coast of Santa Catarina Island, Brazil were assessed to determine litter influence on scenic quality. The application of the Coastal Scenic Evaluation System (CSES) categorized these beaches into four of the five available classes. Six of the investigated beaches belong to Class III (n = 3) and V (n = 3), while two beaches correspond to Class II and Class IV. Class I beaches were not found. A total amount of 4291 litter items weighing 29 kg were collected with average abundances of 0.29 items m2. Beach users habits as well bad management practices along the adjoining river basins play an essential role on litter source, and are directly responsible for the decline of scenic quality of Santa Catarina Island Beaches. In fact, litter has a direct relation with the low scenic scores determined in the surveyed beaches.

Subaerial Rotation on an Open Coast Beach: Pendine West Wales, UK

ABSTRACT Thomas, T.; Rangel-Buitrago, N.; Phillips, M.R.; Anfuso, G.; Williams, A.T.. and Oakley, J.A.. 2016. Subaerial rotation on an open coast beach: PendineWest Wales, UK. In: Vila-Concejo, A.; Bruce, E.; Kennedy, D.M., and McCarroll, R.J. (eds.), Proceedings of the 14th International Coastal Symposium (Sydney, Australia). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue, No. 75, pp. 482–486. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Beach profiles and storm related forcing agents were used to assess subaerial beach rotation on an open coast macro-tidal beach. Analysis highlighted a negative phase relationship existed between the beach extremities and variation between negative/positive correlations within the central region identified that medium timescale open coast beach rotation existed. Cross-correlation showed timelag variations in subaerial volume exchange between adjacent sectors lagged behind one another by up to 18 months. While, annually averaged storm climate results highlighted a reduced temporal trend in terms of occurrence, intensity and power. Qualitatively, links were established between storms and erosive/accretive variations in the MHW shoreline indicator that suggest that these events influence beach rotation. Storm wave direction was established to be an important factor and it was concluded that the 3 river estuary complex acted as a surrogate headland restricting sediment by-pass, essentially forming an almost closed cell. These results should be tested at other open coast sites.

Examples of Class Divisions and Country Synopsis for Coastal Scenic Evaluations

In the last decade, the book authors classified by means of a Coastal Scenic Evaluation System (CSES) technique using a checklist of 18 physical and 8 anthropogenic parameters, 952 coastal sites located around the world. Each parameter was rated from 1 (absence/poor quality) to 5 (outstanding quality) and a “D” value obtained which allowed site categorization into five classes: Class I (extremely attractive natural sites) to Class V (very unattractive urban sites). Almost 50% of investigated sites belonged to Class III (n = 197) and IV (n = 248). Class V sites (n = 209) were also well represented, followed by Class I (n = 155) and II sites (n = 143). Examples of each class from different locations are presented to give the reader a solid idea of the characteristic and essence of each class. Classes I and II generally correspond to natural sites in (or close to) protected areas with low or little human impacts giving high scenic values. Classes III and IV usually correspond with sites of intermediate to low scenic value because of poor scores of both physical and anthropogenic parameters. Class V sites are usually greatly affected by human impact and at many places, are linked to emplacement of chaotic defence structures built to halt/slow down coastal erosion processes. At places, scenic evaluation covered large areas, e.g. the Caribbean coast of Colombia, the Mediterranean coast of Morocco, the Andalusia region of Spain, Mediterranean Turkey and the whole coast of a country, e.g. Bonaire, Cuba and Wales. These are presented as case studies: the main physical characteristics, management issues and class distributions are described, allowing a complete overview on these areas.

Coastal Scenery Assessment: Definitions and Typology

Although scenery is an invaluable asset from any environmental viewpoint, coastal scenery is a lesser-considered aspect of coastal management. Therefore the Coastal Scenic Evaluation System (CSES) technique was developed using fuzzy logic methodology to evaluate the adverse effects of changes to a coastal environment. The CSES can be used not only for landscape preservation and protection, but also as scientific tool for envisaged coastal management and future development based upon plans by an evidence-based approach. This chapter presents a detailed field guide that includes the steps to follow in making a coastal scenery assessment, as well as, key definitions and examples of all parameters required to use the CSES. The Photo-atlas representing all parameters helps in attributing them to the correct grade.

Risk Assessment to Extreme Wave Events: The Barranquilla – Cienaga, Caribbean of Colombia Case Study

The study of the relationships existing between littoral transformation and climate change impacts- with associated hazards, vulnerabilities and risks – represents the first step in the design of adaptation plans for coastal zones (risk reduction). Risk assessments provide information on the pressure to which the coastal zone is exposed and its adaptive capacity. In these assessments, it is important to examine interacting physical attributes and socio-economic, conservational and archeological/cultural characteristics. Determination of coastal susceptibility or vulnerability is an important instrument for managers/planners for coastal preservation, protection and development, as vulnerability outcomes provide baseline information and a scientific basis for any envisaged coastal erosion management plan together with mitigation measures under sustainability aspects. This chapter deals with a methodological approach to risk determination of extreme wave impacts. The approach is based on selection and evaluation of three types of variables: i) the forcing variables contributing to extreme wave-induced erosion, ii) dynamic variables that determine the resilience to erosion (susceptibility) and (iii) the vulnerable targets grouped in three different contexts (socio-economic, ecological and heritage). These are combined into two separate indices, the Hazard Index (combining forcing and susceptibility) and the Vulnerability Index, which together constitute the Coastline Risk to Extreme Waves as a single numerical measure of the risk for a given area. Maps generated with this methodology can be used as a guideline contributing to the determination of causes, processes and consequences derived from the extreme waves and associated processes.