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A novelty coastal susceptibility assessment method: application to Valdelagrana area (SW Spain)

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Abstract

The main aim of this paper is to present a new methodology to determine coastal susceptibility to erosion and flooding processes by means of an index-based method. The proposed indices take into account physical parameters, such as dune and beach geomorphologic characteristics, shoreline evolution, local significant wave height and relative run-up. The coastal susceptibility has been estimated by elaboration of spatial input data into a GIS environment. The method has been tested in Valdelagrana area, a sandy spit located in SW Spain. The spit includes several morpho-sedimentary environments: sandy beach, discontinuous embryo dunes and foredunes, mud flats and wide areas of vegetated salt marshes. The Northernmost sector is densely urbanized whilst the rest is part of a natural protected area belonging to the Bahía de Cádiz Natural Park. The results obtained showed how the Southern part of the spit presented a high susceptibility due to an elevated erosion rate and the presence of low and discontinuous dune ridges.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Science and Technology (DiST), Parthenope University, Naples, Italy

    A. Rizzo & P. P. C. Aucelli

  2. Department of Earth Sciences (CASEM), Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, Cadiz, Puerto Real, Spain

    F. J. Gracia & G. Anfuso

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  1. A. Rizzo
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  2. P. P. C. Aucelli
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  3. F. J. Gracia
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  4. G. Anfuso
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Rizzo, A., Aucelli, P.P.C., Gracia, F.J. et al. A novelty coastal susceptibility assessment method: application to Valdelagrana area (SW Spain). J Coast Conserv 22, 973–987 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-017-0552-2

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