EUROSION - Living with coastal erosion in Europe: Sediment and space for sustainability

Background and Goals

The project investigates the options for sustainable management of erosion processes on European coastlines. It supports the "Integrated Coastal Zone Management Practitioners" network and aims to contribute to providing easier access to relevant data and information. This involves developing a database containing a geographical information system (GIS) to provide basic information about the factors influencing coastal erosion processes and the value of at-risk assets and property. The GIS database is part of the European Commission's geographical information system (GISCO). In addition, a "Shoreline Management Guide" (SMG) is being developed to provide coastal managers at European, national, regional and community level with the latest management solutions to limit coastal erosion.

The objective of the project is an integrative analysis of:

the natural and anthropogenic factors responsible for erosion processes (storms, seismic movements, reduced sediment volume due to coastal protection constructions etc.),

the various types of use of coasts (biodiversity, conservation and landscape preservation, tourism, industry, transport),

the different levels of coastal management (local, regional and European),

entire river drainage basins, and

current problems and their long-term development and prospects (e.g. climate change)

Steps in the process of adaptation to climate change

Step 1: Understand and describe climate change

Approach and results

Emission scenarios and resulting changes in climate factors from the 3rd IPCC situation report (2001).

Parameter (climate signals)

Sea level rise und storm surges
Storm

Further Parameters

wave climate and extreme wave heights

Step 2a: Identify and assess risks - climate effects and impact

Approach and results

The climate effects analysed are increased erosion on European coastlines and increased entry of salt water into the groundwater volume.

"Coastal resilience" is defined as the inherent capacity of coastlines to adapt to changes caused by sea level rises and regularly occurring extreme events, as well as human activity, and the long-term maintenance of the functions provided by the coastal system. Key factors include local sediment availability to maintain the equilibrium between erosion and sedimentation and the existence of space for natural coastal processes to take place.

Step 3: Develop and compare measures

Measures and/or strategies

Objectives: Prevention of land loss and improving the ability of players in coastal zones to adapt to the impact of climate change.

The following recommendations have been developed:

Restoration of the sediment balance and provision of space for natural coastal processes;
Internalisation of costs and risks of coastal erosion in planning and investment decisions;
Creation of responsibilities for the causes of coastal erosion;
Improvement of knowledge of coastal erosion management and planning;

Time horizon

2071–2100 (far future)

Conflicts / synergies / sustainability

Analysis of the opportunities for sustainable management of erosion processes in coastal zones, as part of integrated coastal zone management (ICZM).

Participants

Funding / Financing

European Commission

Project management

National Institute for Coastal and Marine Environment / RIKZ (Dutch Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management)

Cooperation/Partners

EUCC - The Coastal Union, French Geographic Institute (IGN France International), French Environment Institute (IFEN), Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), European Information Technology EADS SD&E, French Institute for Geological and Mining Research

Contact

Rijkswaterstaat, National Institute for Coastal and Marine Management (RIKZ)
Kortenaerkade 1
NL-2518 AX Den Haag

EUROSION - Living with coastal erosion in Europe: Sediment and space for sustainability | Umweltbundesamt