TY - JOUR

T1 - Long-term shoreline changes at large spatial scales at the Baltic Sea: remote-sensing based assessment and potential drivers

AU - Tiede, Jan

AU - Jordan, Christian

AU - Moghimi, Armin

AU - Schlurmann, Torsten

N1 - Funding Information: We thank the StALU for answering detailed questions about the coastal protection strategy of MWP and supplying the LIDAR dataset. The publication of this article was in part funded by the Open Access Fund of Leibniz Universität Hannover. This research was conducted as part of the joint research project ECAS-Baltic which was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research under the funding code 03F0860E. Acknowledgments

PY - 2023/6/27

Y1 - 2023/6/27

N2 - In this study, we demonstrate how freely available satellite images can be used to understand large-scale coastline developments along the coast of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (MWP). By validating the resulting dataset with an independent Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) dataset, we achieved a high level of accuracy for the calculation of rates of change (ROC) with a root mean square error (RMSE) of up to 0.91 m, highlighting the reliability of Earth observation data for this purpose. The study assessed the coastal system’s natural evolution from 1984 to 1990, prior to significant human interventions, and examined the period from 1996 to 2022, which was characterized by regular sand nourishments amounting to approximately 16 million m³. The results reveal notable changes in the study area, with a significant decline in erosive trends and an increase in the number of stable and accreting transects. However, it is important to note that the regular sand nourishments may be masking the true ROC along the coastline. Furthermore, the future supply of sand raises concerns about the sustainability of coastal developments, particularly in the context of future sea level rise (SLR). The study provides valuable insights for coastal authorities and policymakers, informing decisions on sand resource allocation and highlighting the need for appropriate adaptation strategies to address future SLR and ensure long-term coastal resilience.

AB - In this study, we demonstrate how freely available satellite images can be used to understand large-scale coastline developments along the coast of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (MWP). By validating the resulting dataset with an independent Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) dataset, we achieved a high level of accuracy for the calculation of rates of change (ROC) with a root mean square error (RMSE) of up to 0.91 m, highlighting the reliability of Earth observation data for this purpose. The study assessed the coastal system’s natural evolution from 1984 to 1990, prior to significant human interventions, and examined the period from 1996 to 2022, which was characterized by regular sand nourishments amounting to approximately 16 million m³. The results reveal notable changes in the study area, with a significant decline in erosive trends and an increase in the number of stable and accreting transects. However, it is important to note that the regular sand nourishments may be masking the true ROC along the coastline. Furthermore, the future supply of sand raises concerns about the sustainability of coastal developments, particularly in the context of future sea level rise (SLR). The study provides valuable insights for coastal authorities and policymakers, informing decisions on sand resource allocation and highlighting the need for appropriate adaptation strategies to address future SLR and ensure long-term coastal resilience.

KW - Baltic Sea

KW - coastal management

KW - remote sensing

KW - sand nourishments

KW - satellite-derived shorelines

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85164708978&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.3389/fmars.2023.1207524

DO - 10.3389/fmars.2023.1207524

M3 - Article

VL - 10

JO - Frontiers in Marine Science

JF - Frontiers in Marine Science

SN - 2296-7745

M1 - 1207524

ER -