Soil-vegetation interactions in coastal landscapes - erosion reduction as ecosystem service in the context of integrated coastal zone management

Author(s):  
Viktoria Kosmalla ◽  
Jan-Michael Schönebeck ◽  
Björn Mehrtens ◽  
Kara Keimer ◽  
Maike Paul ◽  
...  

<p>The joint-research project "Gute Küste Niedersachsen" is a multidisciplinary approach across spatial and temporal scales investigating ecosystem services for coastal protection. Current national coastal protection concepts predominantly target flood protection and rarely consider additional benefits to coastal ecosystems or vice versa. How maritime landscapes, such as salt marshes, coastal white dunes or a diversification of dike vegetation, can be integrated into approaches of coastal protection without compromising protection levels is the driving question in "Gute Küste Niedersachsen" and heeds recent European Framework directives calls for the restoration of a good ecological status. An in-depth understanding of dynamics within coastal ecosystems, covering eco-hydrodynamics and eco-geomorphodynamics is developed in real world laboratories at the German North Sea coast, as part of the project.<br>Systematic field observations in collaboration between biologists, geo-ecologists and coastal engineers are conducted to identify seasonal changes of vegetation regarding zonation, height, root length density and bio-mechanical parameters like bending stiffness or tensile strength. The differences of bio-mechanical vegetation traits from specific plant species, e.g. the European beach grass <em>Ammophila arenaria</em>, will indicate differences in bio-stabilization states.<br>Complementary field data of topography and soil parameters, e.g. shear and pull-out resistance, among other parameters, are acquired, employing specifically developed instrumentation like the DiCoastar for automatic and digital measurements of shear resistance over rotation angle. Additionally, values such as water and biomass content obtained from soil samples help to elucidate erosion stability of coastal ecosystems.<br>Field campaigns are focused on two real world laboratories, the tidal barrier island of Spiekeroog, Germany, and a coastal mainland section. Spiekeroog offers a variety of dune systems exposed to divergent environmental conditions such as established and recently developing natural dunes at the north-eastern coast, dunes that are used for coastal protection at the north-western coast, dunes in combination with a sea wall that are already supported by sand nourishment at the western coast or established dunes along the south-western tip of the island. Furthermore, the island holds a unique setting with an engineered dune, which was created to integrate a dike system into the landscape. This offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to investigate differences between six different dune system types within close proximity regarding their vegetation bound bio-mechanical properties and linked soil-bound erosion resistance.<br>In addition, Spiekeroog offers an abandoned dike line, for which a sectional re-planting is rolled out with alternative seed combinations for ecologically upgrading grass dikes and boost plant diversity while coastal protection is maintained. A direct comparison against a sea dike is made at the second real world laboratory situated at the adjacent mainland coast. This setting facilitates the comparison between different biological revetment types and their respective performance in coastal protection regarding wave-soil-vegetation interactions.<br>In a subsequent step, the extensive data set will be used to develop surrogate plant models and mimic nature in hydraulic laboratories and numerical simulations to project system performance under climate change scenarios. Finally, technical guidance as well as policy recommendations will be derived for enhancing ecosystem services of artificial structures for coastal protection.</p>

1845 ◽  
Vol 135 ◽  
pp. 1-124 ◽  

In the spring of 1842 I was informed by Colonel Colby, R. E., Director of the Trigonometrical Survey, that in the operations of the Survey of Ireland it had become necessary to adopt a line of reference for the elevations ascertained in the running of various lines of level through the country; and that it was his intention to institute a series of observations of the height of the water in different states of the tide, in order to refer the levels to the mean height of the sea, or to its height at some definite phase of the tide. Colonel Colby stated also that he was desirous that the observa­tions should be made subservient to improvements in the theory of the tides, and requested my assistance in sketching a plan of observation which would be most likely to contribute to that end. In reply, I made the following suggestions:—That great care should be taken in the accurate determination of time at every station, and that for this purpose the non­commissioned officer of the Royal Sappers and Miners who had the care of the observations at each station, should be entrusted with a pocket chronometer, and that an officer should, at least twice during the series of observations, visit every station, carrying, for comparison, an itinerant chronometer whose error on Greenwich time was accurately known from astronomical observations. That stations should be chosen on the eastern as well as on the western coast, in order to determine the difference of level, if any, between an open sea and a partially inclosed sea. That on the north-eastern coast, stations should be selected at smaller intermediate distances than at other parts of the coast, with the purpose of removing, if possible, the doubt which appears to exist as to the progress of the semidiurnal tide-wave through the North Channel. That, where practicable, several stations should be selected on each of the large rivers or estuaries, in order to ascertain the nature of the modification which the tide-wave undergoes in passing up a contracted channel of comparatively small depth. That the series of observations should be so arranged, that, at every station, one complete tide (from high water to high water, or from low water to low water) should be completely observed on every day, its observations being made at small equidistant intervals. That supplementary observations, applying only to the neighbourhood of the low water or high water omitted in the observations of the complete tide, should also be made, for the development of the principal facts of diurnal tide. Finally, that the zeros of the tide-gauges should be connected with the principal lines of level, so that every observation should be referred to the same hydrostatic level.


1927 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 395-409
Author(s):  
W. J. McCallien

Gigha is a little-visited island off the western coast of Kintyre and between the latter and the island of Islay. It lies about 5¼ miles south-west of West Loch Tarbert, and a little over 1½ miles from the nearest point of Kintyre where the mainland runs out for 1½ miles in the low, sandy, raised beach of Runahaorine (figs. 1 and 10).The island is 6 miles in length from north-east to south-west, and has a greatest breadth of 2 miles. All round it are innumerable smaller isles, all elongated in the same direction as Gigha. Of these the most important are Cara, 1 mile from north-east to south-west by ½ mile in breadth, and Gigalum, ½ mile by ⅕ mile, and Craro, which is smaller still (figs. 2 and 10). The island forming Ardminish Point, on the eastern coast of Gigha, and Eilean Garbh, at the north-eastern end, will be dealt with here as if they were part of the main island, since at low tide they are connected with it by sandy isthmuses.


1997 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 1023 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. F. Clough ◽  
P. Dixon ◽  
O. Dalhaus

A procedure is described for obtaining allometric relationships between stem diameter and above-ground biomass for multi-stemmed trees of the mangroves Rhizophora stylosa and Avicennia marina. The procedure treats each stem as discrete tree that shares a proportion of the butt and other elements common to all stems. Linear log–log relationships were obtained between stem diameter and the dry weights of each above-ground component. Allometric relationships between stem diameter and total above-ground biomass were similar to those for single-stemmed trees in north-eastern Australia, but multi-stemmed trees on the west coast had much greater proportion of their biomass in the form of prop roots than single-stemmed trees of comparable stem diameter on the north-eastern coast. This is attributed to the arid environment on the north-western coast of Australia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Fozzi ◽  
Roberto Fozzi ◽  
Ilaria Fozzi ◽  
Francesco Guillot ◽  
Gabriella Caria ◽  
...  

In 2020, a pair of ospreys nested in the north western coast of Sardinia and the successful fledging of two chicks is the first record in the island since 1968. The last reported breeding occurred in the eastern coast of the island and after that the species was considered extinct. Ospreys regularly migrate, estivate and winter in Sardinia, with a wintering population of about 40 individuals in 2018. This new breeding episode is not resulting from reintroduction projects and may be related to the dynamics of the close population of Corsica and to the exceptional absence of human disturbance along the coast due to COVID 19 lock-down.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 9485
Author(s):  
Chiara D’Alpaos ◽  
Andrea D’Alpaos

Coastal ecosystems are among the most economically valuable and highly threatened on Earth; they provide valuable ecosystem services (ESs) but are severely exposed to climate changes and human pressure. Although the preservation of coastal ecosystems is of the utmost importance, it is often sub-optimally pursued by Governments and Societies because of the high costs involved. We consider salt-marsh ecosystems in the Venice Lagoon as an example of a threatened landscape, calling for innovative, integrated management strategies, and propose an application-driven methodological framework to support policymakers in the identification of cost-effective incentive policies to ecosystem preservation. By combining group decision-making and Value-Focused-Thinking approaches, we provide a multiple-criteria decision model, based on pairwise comparisons, to identify which ESs are top-priority policy targets according to a cost-effective perspective. We implemented an online Delphi survey process and interviewed a pool of experts who identified “recreation and tourism”, “coastal protection from flooding”, “carbon storage”, “biodiversity and landscape”, and “nursery habitats for fisheries” as the five most relevant ESs for the Venice Lagoon taking into consideration the Environmental, Economic, and Social perspectives. Our results suggest that the Environmental perspective is the most important criteria, whereas “biodiversity and landscape” is acknowledged as the most important ES.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Björn Mehrtens ◽  
Viktoria Kosmalla ◽  
Oliver Lojek ◽  
David Schürenkamp ◽  
Nils Goseberg

<p>Natural coastal dunes covered by vegetation are an essential component on many sandy coastlines worldwide and often provide the only physical protection against flooding by dissipating wave energy and enhancing erosion resilience. However, sea level rise, changing and widely intensifying coastal wave climates and storm surges constitute severe exacerbated stresses, calling into question the perseverance of such unique coastal ecosystems as dunes and their protective functions taken for granted.</p><p>Here we investigate the extensive coastal dune system of St. Peter-Ording, a major tourist draw of the German North Sea within a marine high energy zone. Lining the coast along 15 km, extending up to 1.5 km in cross-shore direction it covers an area of 18 sqkm characterized by overgrown dunes separating the tidal foreshore from the topographically flat hinterland. Featuring a dedicated, Germany wide unique, coastal protection function sets it apart from other national coastal dune systems - potentially creating a role model for mitigating coastal squeeze related driving factors, further adding to its awe-inspiring landscape character.</p><p>Consequently, the joint-research project ''Sandküste St. Peter Ording'' examines whether the local flood protection dune “Maleens Knoll”, a 16.6 m high natural coastal dune stretching a roughly 1.2 km long gap in the sea-dike defense, will continue to offer adequate protection in the future. Current hypothesis is, that due to the overgrowth with non-endemic and invasive vegetation species, the natural dynamic and self-adaptation of the system is impaired and will not withstand projected changes in coastal drivers. Therefore, the long-term goal is to develop a variety of nature-friendly flood protection measures to reinforce the dune and reduce its probability of failure during an extreme storm surge.</p><p>Possible options comprise the installation of hybrid systems, combining the existing dune core with one of the following structures: 1) a vertical wall to gain more stability during erosion of the sand cover, 2) rock filling to increase wave dissipation and reduce wave reflection and erosion and 3) geotextiles to provide a temporary and more environmentally protection against runup. The built-in materials will be covered with sand, to mimic the original landform and yield its previous degree of freedom regarding topographic adaptation. Another approach is to strengthen the resistance of the sand surface against aeolian and fluvial erosion. Through a microbiological process based on calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP), the strength can be increased in a particularly environmentally friendly way that saves raw materials. Furthermore, adapted or additional planting with a site-typical vegetation can promote sand accumulation at the surface and thereby stabilize the dune.</p><p>Large-scale physical model experiments will be performed in a wave flume to investigate the protection potential of the dune. First, the natural dune condition will be recreated and tested under a combination of water levels and wave conditions to investigate current and future load cases. Based on the findings, a second series of experiments will be conducted to determine which engineering methods are most appropriate to reinforce the dune and ensure its coastal protection character and retain its naturalness at the same time.</p>


Oryx ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Dvorak ◽  
Hernán Vargas ◽  
Birgit Fessl ◽  
Sabine Tebbich

The Critically Endangered mangrove finch Cactospiza (=Camarhynchus) heliobates is now confined to Isabela Island in the Galápagos Islands and is exclusively found in mangrove forests. Formerly it occurred also on neighbouring Fernandina Island, but is apparently extinct there. The population size and ecology of the species was relatively unknown until 1994. We conducted surveys, habitat assessments and behavioural observations of the species between 1996 and 2000. Although Isabela Island has approximately 760 ha of mangrove forests, breeding was confirmed at only two sites, comprising 32 ha in total, on the north-western coast. Our estimate of the population in these two areas is 100 individuals. Additionally, 3–5 territories (which probably contained breeding individuals) were discovered on the south-eastern coast. A comparison of habitat parameters showed that tree height and amount of dead wood were significantly higher within than outside territories, and these are therefore likely to be important habitat components for this species. As considerable structural differences were detected between the two sites holding the main populations and all other mangrove stands on Isabela, it seems possible that the latter are sub-optimal habitat. We therefore conclude that one of the reasons for the very limited distribution of the species is habitat degradation caused by hitherto unknown factors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-44
Author(s):  
Taufiqurrahman Setiawan

The evidence of prehistoric life in Aceh has been proven by the results of archeological research conducted by the North Sumatra Archaeological Institute. Until now, the research only focuses on the eastern coast and the central mountains of Aceh. The western coast of Aceh, which also has the potential to provide information, has never been studied. The western coast of Aceh is an area that has a wide karst landscape with many caves that might be used as a settlement in the past. One method used to predict such caves included a topographic map, a geological map, and a digital elevation model (DEM). The inventory results of caves on the western coast of Aceh were also used as preliminary data to obtain the distribution of caves and rock shelters. In this study, the area surveyed was Aceh Besar Regency. Three parameters of inhabited caves, i.e. morphology and genesis, environment, and archaeological content, were used to describe the potential of each cave. Of eleven caves and rock shelters, three caves are qualified as the past settlement and potential for further research, four caves are qualified as the past settlement but not potential for further research, and four caves are neither qualified as a settlement nor potential for further research.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-105
Author(s):  
Herawati Herawati ◽  
Muhammad Arsyad Thaha ◽  
Chairul Paotonan

Abstrak Wilayah pesisir merupakan pertemuan antara wilayah laut dan wilayah darat, dimana daerah ini merupakan daerah interaksi antara ekosistem darat dan ekosistem laut yang sangat dinamis dan saling mempengaruhi. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menentukan material lokal yang potensial dapat digunakan sebagai bahan bangunan pelindung pantai dan memilih tipe bangunan pelindung pantai yang sesuai kondisi hidro-oseanografi di lokasi studi dengan metode Analythic Hierarchy Process. Lokasi penelitian berada di Provinsi Sulawesi Tenggara, tepatnya di Pulau Kabaena, Kecamatan Kabaena Barat Desa Sikeli kabupaten Bombana. Pulau Kabaena memiliki luas 873 km2. Secara geografis terletak antara 4°22’ 59,4” - 5°28’ 26,7” Lintang Selatan serta antara 121°27’46,7”-122°09’,4” Bujur Timur. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan perairan disepanjang tanjung perak sangat mempengaruhi hidro-oseonografi disekitar pantai desa Sikeli. Kondisi ini berpengaruh terhadap pola pergerakan arus dan tinggi gelombang datang disekitar pantai desa Sikeli. Tinggi gelombang rata-rata yang paling besar merambat dari arah barat sebesar 0.49 m dengan presentase kajadian sebesar 32.42 %, disusul arah barat laut sebesar 0.39 m (20.56 %), arah tenggara sebesar 0.31 m (8.72 %) arah barat daya sebesar 0.31 m (7.99 %), arah utara sebesar 0.20 m (6.94 %), arah timur sebesar 0.15 m (11.81 %), arah selatan sebesar 0.12 m (3.42 %), dan arah timur laut sebesar 0.11 m (8.15 %). Pengambilan keputusan untuk memilih tipe bangunan pelindung pantai dengan metode AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) untuk penanganan abrasi pesisir pantai desa Sikeli berbasis bahan lokal diperoleh bahwa alternatif bangunan dengan nilai keterpilihan yang tertinggi adalah detached breakwater (0,4432) disusul groin (0,2479), sea-wall (0,1700) dan revetment (0.1389). Detached breakwater berfungsi untuk menahan laju sedimen kearah laut, mengurangi ketinggian dan meredam energi gelombang dan tidak dibangun sepanjang garis pantai yang akan dilindungi sehingga kapal nelayan dapat ditambat dipesisir pantai dengan aman. Abstract The Selection Type of Coastal Protection Structures in Sikeli Village Based on Local Materials. The coastal area is a meeting point between the sea and land areas, where this area is an area of interaction between terrestrial ecosystems and marine ecosystems which are very dynamic and influence each other. The purpose of this research is to determine local materials that can be used as coastal protection materials and to select the type of coastal protection that is suitable for the hydro-oceanographic conditions in the study location using the Analythic Hierarchy Process method. The research location is in Southeast Sulawesi Province, precisely on Kabaena Island, Kabaena Barat District, Sikeli Village, Bombana Regency. Kabaena Island has an area of 873 km2. Geographically it is located between 4° 22' 59.4"- 5° 28' 26.7" South Latitude and between 121° 27' 46.7 "-122° 09' 4" Longitude East. The results showed that the waters along Tanjung Perak greatly affect the hydro-oseonography around the coast of Sikeli village. This condition affects the current movement pattern and the height of the incoming waves around the coast of Sikeli village. The largest average wave height propagating from the west is 0.49 m with a kajadian percentage of 32.42%, followed by the northwest direction of 0.39 m (20.56%), southeast direction of 0.31 m (8.72%) to the southwest of 0.31 m (7.99%), to the north of 0.20 m (6.94%), to the east of 0.15 m (11.81%), to the south of 0.12 m (3.42%), and to the northeast of 0.11 m (8.15%). The decision to choose the type of coastal protection using the AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) method for the coastal abrasion management model in Sikeli village based on local materials was obtained that the alternative building with the highest electability value was the detached breakwater (0.4432) followed by groins (0.2479), sea-wall (0.1700) and revetment (0.1389). The detached breakwater model which functions to restrain the sediment rate towards the sea, reduce the height and reduce wave energy and is not built along the coastline which will be protected so that fishing boats can be moored to the coast safely.


Author(s):  
Dmitry Kuznetsov ◽  
Dmitry Kuznetsov ◽  
Anatoliy Kamalov ◽  
Anatoliy Kamalov ◽  
Nataliya Belova ◽  
...  

The dynamics of thermoabrasion coasts on loose sediments under permafrost conditions are highly variable due to several factors: length of the dynamic period of the year, mechanic composition of the frozen ground and its ice content, hydrometeorological conditions, and human impact. Multiannual monitoring of the coastal zone was carried out by Lab. Geoecology of the North (Moscow State University) at the 22 km long Kharasavey deposit site, Western Coast of Yamal Peninsula (Kara Sea). The methods include direct measurements and observations (repeated topographic survey of shore transects from 1981 to 2012) along with remote sensing data analysis (images from 1964 to 2011). This allowed producing detailed characteristics of coastal dynamics. At the site, thermoabrasion coasts occupy the most part, and accumulative coasts are present in the north. Data on natural relief forming factors and ground composition are included in the detailed geomorphologic map of the site. Shore retreat rate shows correlation to amounts of wind-wave energy and to specific wind directions. Human impact on the coast includes dredging at the port channel, mining of sand, driving motor vehicles, and deposition of construction debris. Relations between shore retreat rate and aforementioned factors were studied, including dependencies on ice content, and shore segmentation was carried out. This allows for coastal dynamics forecasts in the region.


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