Abstract
The SE coast of Iran is of great economic and environmental importance. Global climate change affects this coastline through sea level rise (SLR), compounded by a decrease in sediment budgets in coastal areas. This study developed a Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) for the SE coast of Iran using satellite, instrumental and field data. Eight risk variables were defined: coastal slope, regional coastal elevation, mean tidal range, mean significant wave height, rate of relative sea-level change, rate of shoreline change, environmental sensitivity and socio-economic sensitivity. The coast was divided into 27 segments based on geomorphic, environmental and socioeconomic traits. Coastal segments were categorized based on their vulnerability to each risk factor using a CVI. The resulting maps highlighted the vulnerability of each coastal segment to SLR. Approximately 50% of the coast is comprised of mostly rocky shores, which are less vulnerable to SLR. Approximately 33% of the coastal length, including sandy beaches, tidal flats and mangrove forests, were determined to be highly vulnerable to SLR. Approximately 12% of the coastline was determined to be moderately vulnerable. Population centers and infrastructure were ranked as highly-to-moderately vulnerable to SLR. This study highlighted the high vulnerability of low-lying areas, such as lagoons and mangroves, in the western part of the Iranian coast of Makran. Proper coastal management and mitigation plans are essential in the future to protect coastal societies and environments.
Highlights
Coastal areas are dynamic and productive environments where continental and marine processes interact
Based on 210 coastal profiles, the coastal slope ranged between 0.12% and 1.15%
For low-lying coasts, the slope ranged between 0.12% and 0.6%, which is moderately to highly vulnerable to sea level rise (SLR).Low-lying coastal settings are more frequent on the western half of the coast
Summary
Coastal areas are dynamic and productive environments where continental and marine processes interact. Such areas are extremely sensitive to environmental changes. Coastal environments and societies are extremely sensitive to natural hazards, especially in developing countries. Erosion and natural habitat loss have been compounded by human activities and global climate change [1,2,3]. Assessments of coastal vulnerability to hazards are complicated due to the great diversity of parameters and processes that interact in these areas [4,5]. The loss of natural habitats to sea level rise (SLR), storm surges and tsunamis are among the most important hazards threatening coastal zones
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