Coastal Morphodynamics and Climate Change: A Review of Recent Advances

Autor: Lynn Donelson Wright, Bruce Graham Thom
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2023
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Vol 11, Iss 10, p 1997 (2023)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 11101997
2077-1312
32749899
DOI: 10.3390/jmse11101997
Popis: The shape of the coast and the processes that mold it change together as a complex system. There is constant feedback among the multiple components of the system, and when climate changes, all facets of the system change. Abrupt shifts to different states can also take place when certain tipping points are crossed. The coupling of rapid warming in the Arctic with melting sea ice is one example of positive feedback. Climate changes, particularly rising sea temperatures, are causing an increasing frequency of tropical storms and “compound events” such as storm surges combined with torrential rains. These events are superimposed on progressive rises in relative sea level and are anticipated to push many coastal morphodynamic systems to tipping points beyond which return to preexisting conditions is unlikely. Complex systems modeling results and long-term sets of observations from diverse cases help to anticipate future coastal threats. Innovative engineering solutions are needed to adapt to changes in coastal landscapes and environmental risks. New understandings of cascading climate-change-related physical, ecological, socioeconomic effects, and multi-faceted morphodynamic systems are continually contributing to the imperative search for resilience. Recent contributions, summarized here, are based on theory, observations, numerically modeled results, regional case studies, and global projections.
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