Mean Tidal Range Research Articles

Elevations of mangrove forests of Pohnpei, Micronesia

Mangrove surface elevation is the crux of mangrove vulnerability to sea level rise. Local topography influences critical periods of tidal inundation that govern distributions of mangrove species and dictates future distributions. This study surveyed ground surface elevations of the extensive mangroves of Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, integrating four survey technologies to solve issues of canopy blocking satellite reception, dense aerial roots limiting line-of-sight, and remoteness from surveyed datums. The island-wide average elevation of the mangrove seaward edge was −0.57 ± 0.13 m relative to MSL, while the landward average elevation was 0.33 ± 0.12 m relative to MSL. The overall mangrove elevation range was thus estimated to be 0.90 m. Mangrove species Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Rhizophora apiculata and Sonneratia alba had large, overlapping elevation ranges, while Rhizophora stylosa occurred low in the tide frame. These species are likely to be less vulnerable to rising sea level given their greater range of elevation occurrence and presumably flooding tolerance, and hence have the highest adaptive capacity to rising sea level. Some landward edge species had very narrow elevation ranges, increasing their vulnerability to sea-level rise, with adjacent potential upland migration areas limited due to steep topography and human development. Pohnpei mangroves occupied 74% of the mean tidal range, similar to surveys elsewhere in the Pacific. This study demonstrates how more extensive understanding of the elevation distributions of intertidal species can contribute to sea-level rise vulnerability assessments, to allow prioritised climate change adaptation. However, more work is needed in standardizing approaches for global comparisons.

Assessment of the Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) for disaster mitigation strategies in some coastal tourism areas in Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta-Indonesia

South coastal area of Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta-Indonesia has a high tourism development due to the unique physical conditions of coastal typology. However, during the last few years, extreme wave height associated with cyclones damaged many tourist facilities there. Coastal management for ecosystem sustainability requires disaster mitigation, which one considering the aspect of vulnerability. This study aims to assess the level of coastal vulnerability according to coastal typology of Baron-Pok Tunggal section and to determine the coastal management model based on the level of vulnerability. The Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) is used in vulnerability assessment. The variable formulation of CVI is divided into hydrodynamic factors (mean significant wave heights, mean tide range, and mean sea level rise) and morphodynamics factors, i.e. geomorphology, coastal slope, and average width of emerged beach. The morphodynamics data were obtained through observation, direct measurements in the field by systematic sampling, extraction from aerial photographs and digital surface model (DSM). The results of modeling and predictions by several agencies are derived to obtain the hydrodynamics data. The result of this study revealed that marine deposition coast typology have a high and moderate vulnerability (twelve and eleven coastal units, respectively). Meanwhile, a low vulnerability can be found in the cliff coast or wave erosion coast typology (24 units). The convex or concave beaches tend to be more vulnerable than beaches with the straight form. The beaches of Buluk, Drini, Kosakora, Sarangan and all beaches from Krakal to Indrayanti have a high vulnerability. Geomorphological variables, significant wave height, and sea level rise have the strongest influence on vulnerability. Coastal management in the marine deposition coast typology can be carried out either in a protective manner or by accommodative approach, such as by observing changes in natural conditions due to sea level rise.

Tidal change in response to the relative sea level rise and marsh accretion in a tidally choked estuary

Tidal range is a key factor for flooding, mixing, and transport in estuaries. Sea level rise is expected to change tidal range in the future. This change is complex, and has been showed to either increase or decrease, and vary along the estuary axis. Large changes are expected to occur in costal Louisiana, as it is experiencing some of the highest relative sea level rise (RSLR) rates in the continental USA (0.92 cm yr−1). A finite volume community ocean model was used to investigate how tidal dynamics in Barataria Bay estuary will be affected by future RSLR and marsh accretion scenarios. Under the present sea level condition, five major tidal choking areas – where tidal range reduces sharply, and phase lags develops – were identified. RSLR reduced tidal choking intensity and thus increased tidal range within the estuary. Contrary to previous modeling analyses in other estuaries suggesting that flooding of the low-lying land with sea level rise would increase frictional effects and thus reduce tidal range, this study suggested that tidal range in a choked tidal system like Barataria Bay increases even when accompanied by extensive land inundation. This occurs because the channel conveyance effects are larger than the frictional effects of the low-lying areas. In the lower and the middle bay, the largest increase in tidal range occurred when the marsh area was assumed to keep pace with RSLR. Under this condition, mean tidal range could increase by a maximum of 16 cm compared to the present-day sea level condition. However, in the upper bay the largest increase in tidal range occurred when no accretion was assumed. Under this condition, mean tidal range could increase by a maximum of 13 cm. RSLR also induced amplification of tides at the head of the estuary. A detailed momentum balance analysis indicated that sea level rise shifts tidal wave regime from a dissipative tidal wave to a progressive wave, which is more susceptible to tidal amplification.

A preliminary assessment of coastal vulnerability for Ngazidja Island, Comoros Archipelago, Western Indian Ocean

In previous studies, an emphasis on the particular vulnerability of small island states to future sea-level rise and the intensity of increasing storm surges have been discussed. This preliminary assessment develops a Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) along the 202 km-long coastline of Ngazidja Island (formerly Grande Comore, Comoros Archipelago), using fieldwork, remote sensing, and geographic information system tools (GIS). The CVI considers nine variables: geology (a), geomorphology (b), topography (c), shoreline change (d), shoreline exposure (e), relative sea-level rise (f), significant wave height (g), mean tide range (h), and land-use (i). The land-use variable was added in this analysis to highlight the human asset exposure in the surrounding areas. Each variable was ranked based on local physical and hydrodynamic conditions and their vulnerability contribution to sea-level rise. The CVI was computed in 270 sections. According to the vulnerability index, approximately 57.5% of the coastline is under low and moderate vulnerability. High and very high vulnerabilities refer specifically to beaches and shores with old volcanic lava flows located mainly in the northern, northeastern, and southeastern parts of the island, approximately 42.5% of the coastline. The lowest value of CVI is 9.2 on high, rocky cliffs and the highest value is 160 on beaches. This vulnerability partition along the coastline is consistent with in situ indicators of coastal erosion and flooding. In a sea-level rise context, it is of prime importance to integrate coastal vulnerability maps with planning and sustainable management of the coastal zone.

Vulnerability assessment of mangrove areas in coastal West Bengal, India

In the era of climate change, coastal areas are more susceptible to global warming-related problems like increasing atmospheric and sea surface temperature, increasing frequencies of cyclones, sea-level rise, etc. In these circumstances, vulnerability analysis in coastal regions is of utmost importance to mitigate the impact of multiple hazards and protect coastal resources. Mangroves act effectively as a bio-shield to protect the coast and its hinterland. However, mangroves are themselves under threat due to natural and anthropogenic causes. The study is an attempt to analyze vulnerability along the coastal region of West Bengal, where eight dynamic parameters, viz., geomorphology, rate of shoreline change, sea level rise, regional elevation, coastal slope, bathymetry, mean tidal range, and mangrove density were classified and ranked to calculate grid-wise coastal vulnerability index (CVI) and mangrove vulnerability index (MVI) using geospatial techniques. Based on the index scores, the entire coastal area was divided into five vulnerable zones. The result shows 32.94% of coastal grids and 41.33% of mangrove grids along the coast are under high to very highly vulnerable zone. The result also highlights that mangrove-dominated islands, viz. Thakuran Reserve Forest (RF), Bulchery Island, Dulibhasani RF, Dalhousie Island, Bhangaduni, and Gosaba RF are under severe threat. The vulnerability maps created in this study would be a valuable guide to coastal planners for the sustainable management of the coastal mangrove ecosystem.

Assessment of coastal erosion vulnerability and socio-economic impact along the Yangtze River Delta

Vulnerability assessment is critical for management of hazards in coastal area. However, research on erosion vulnerability assessment in delta region is still very limited. In this paper, we assessed the erosion vulnerability of 49 towns along the coast of the Yangtze River Delta by combining five physical (i.e., mean tidal range, mean wave height, suspended sediment concentration, tidal flat width, and coastal slope) and three social (i.e., embankment height, GDP per unit area, and fiscal revenue) indicators using the percentile ranking method. Population density and land use were analyzed to reveal the potential socio-economic impact of erosion. The assessment result of physical vulnerability is validated by comparison with the bathymetric change between 1980s and 2010s and previous assessment studies using different indicators and aggregation methods. Our results show that areas categorized as very high, high, moderate, low, and very low vulnerability account for 13%, 22%, 39%, 24% and 2% of the coastal towns, respectively. Vulnerable towns with very high and high socio-economic impacts are located along the coastline with narrow tidal flat and lower social coping capacities. The large variability in the physical vulnerability assessment result demonstrates that fine scale study at town level is extreme important, considering the spatial heterogeneity in geomorphological process within the fluival-tidal delta. Our method of erosion vulnerability assessment has potential use in deltaic environments elsewhere.

Biotic and abiotic factors control the geomorphic characteristics of channel networks in salt marshes

AbstractBiotic and abiotic processes control the formation and evolution of tidal channel networks. However, which factor regulates the planimetric geometry of the network remains unclear. Here, we compare the geometric properties of tidal channel networks in 14 salt marshes along the coasts of the United States and China. Significant difference in the geometric properties of tidal channel networks was found in salt marshes dominated by different vegetation species. Physical parameters better explained these differences, while vegetation parameters had a weaker effect on the network geometry. Mean marsh elevation and tidal range were found to be the best variables to explain the variability in drainage density, mean unchanneled path length and sinuosity (R2 values range from 0.239 to 0.465), while biotic parameters (i.e., aboveground biomass, stem density, height, and diameter) were only significant predictors for less geometric properties (R2 values range from 0.005 to 0.312). We used multiple regressions to develop sample models, explaining more than 60% of the variability in mean unchanneled path length. Our findings underline the key role of physical factors in shaping tidal channel networks. We conclude that physical processes are more important than vegetation species in determining the long‐term development of tidal channels.

Insights into Holocene relative sea‐level changes in the southern North Sea using an improved microfauna‐based transfer function

ABSTRACTIn light of global warming and rising relative sea level (RSL), detailed reconstructions of RSL histories and their controlling processes are essential in order to manage coastal‐protection challenges. This study contributes to unravelling Holocene RSL change on the East Frisian North Sea coast in high resolution and with a new approach for the German Bight. For the first time, a transfer function (vertical error: 29.7 cm ≙ ~11% of the mean tidal range) for RSL change based on a combined training set of benthic foraminifers and ostracods from the back‐barrier tidal basin of Spiekeroog is applied to the Holocene record of the back‐barrier tidal basin of Norderney. The resulting RSL curve for the Norderney tidal basin is corrected for decompaction and shows a deceleration in RSL rise between 6000 and 5000 cal bp.The smallest possible error envelope (~1 m) results from the good suitability of salt‐marsh layers between 5000 and 4000 cal bp.The RSL curve provides an approach towards the closure of the common data gap of peat‐based curves for the southern North Sea related to a lack of basal peats in the youngest age range, and verifies regional differences in glacial isostatic adjustment.

Coastal Vulnerability Index for Kuwaiti Coast

Kuwait is investing significantly for the development of coastal infrastructures in many of its coastal areas. It is essential to know the vulnerability of the coast of Kuwait for the future sea level rise and other physically influencing parameters. For this purpose, a detailed study is carried out and the Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) is established for the Kuwaiti coast including the coasts of Islands. The CVI is assessed based on the data on coastal geomorphology, historical shoreline change rate, landward side of the coastal slope, mean significant wave height, mean tidal range and the particle size of the sediments along the beach. The total Kuwaiti coastline of 499 km is divided into two groups with a total of 162 coastal segments. The group 1 contains 138 segments and covers the mainland, Boubyan and Failaka Island. The group 2 contains 24 locations and covers Umm Al-Maradim, Qaru and Kubbar Islands. Field data collection is carried out for all these segments. From this study it is found that 5% of the Kuwaiti coastal area in group 1 are very low vulnerable; 34% low vulnerable; 31% moderately vulnerable; 18% highly vulnerable and 12% are very highly vulnerable. Similar results are obtained for group 2 coastal segments. The results of this study will be useful while preparing the Integrated Coastal Zone Management plan for Kuwaiti coast and for its sustainable coastal infrastructure development.

Analysis of the Makran Coastline of Iran’s Vulnerability to Global Sea-Level Rise

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.

Geospatial Approach for Coastal Vulnerability Assessment of Selangor Coast, Malaysia

The The length of the coast of peninsular Malaysia is approximately 4,809 km long. Coastal erosion is recognized as the permanent loss of land and habitats along the shoreline resulting in the changes of the coast. Thus, the aim of this study is to determine the vulnerability of erosion of the Selangor coast caused by sea level rise events. In this paper, by using satellite imagery, both manual methods and coastal extraction processing have been examined. Six variables consist of the coastal vulnerability index (CVI), which are coastal geomorphology, coastal slope, erosion and accretion rate, mean wave height, mean tidal range, and the increase in sea level. Vulnerability levels are classified into five vulnerabilities for 8 management units along the Selangor coast which are very medium, medium, moderate, high and very high. The finding reveals that the level of vulnerability of MU 7 Pantai Jeram & Bagan Sungai Janggut is very high because the rate of erosion in the area is higher compared to other areas. Finally, the outcome of this study provides a framework that can be used by decision makers, and relevant authorities to implement mitigation and adaptation measures in the effort to deal with the impacts of climate change on coastal regions.

Suitable Turbine Selection based on the Parameters of a Potential Site at Sarawak, Malaysia

The tidal range is a renewable energy source. In Malaysia, most of the produced renewable energy is generated from the exploitation of the tidal range. The main purpose of this research is to determine a suitable system to produce tidal range energy from a potential site. A turbine selection chart is used. The mean tidal range of Kuching Barrage is 4.2m and the maximum flow rate over a gate is 226.9m3/s. Therefore, for the extraction of electrical power, a bulb-type turbine with a rated power of 5.2MW is identified as suitable to be deployed at the site.

Suitable Turbine Selection based on the Parameters of a Potential Site at Sarawak, Malaysia

The tidal range is a renewable energy source. In Malaysia, most of the produced renewable energy is generated from the exploitation of the tidal range. The main purpose of this research is to determine a suitable system to produce tidal range energy from a potential site. A turbine selection chart is used. The mean tidal range of Kuching Barrage is 4.2m and the maximum flow rate over a gate is 226.9m3/s. Therefore, for the extraction of electrical power, a bulb-type turbine with a rated power of 5.2MW is identified as suitable to be deployed at the site.

Suitable Turbine Selection based on the Parameters of a Potential Site at Sarawak, Malaysia

The tidal range is a renewable energy source. In Malaysia, most of the produced renewable energy is generated from the exploitation of the tidal range. The main purpose of this research is to determine a suitable system to produce tidal range energy from a potential site. A turbine selection chart is used. The mean tidal range of Kuching Barrage is 4.2m and the maximum flow rate over a gate is 226.9m3/s. Therefore, for the extraction of electrical power, a bulb-type turbine with a rated power of 5.2MW is identified as suitable to be deployed at the site.

Analysis of critical river discharge for saltwater intrusion control in the upper South Branch of the Yangtze River Estuary

Saltwater intrusion in the estuary area threatens the use of freshwater resources. If river discharge increases to a critical value, then saltwater intrusion frequency and salinity level decreases. In this study, long-term river discharge and tidal range data in the Yangtze River Estuary (YRE) and salinity data obtained in the upper South Branch of the YRE were used to analyze the characteristics of different variables and the basic law of their interactions. Two methods, namely, the material analysis method and empirical models, were applied to determine the critical river discharge for saltwater intrusion control. Results are as follows: (1) the salinity might exceed the drinking water standard of China when the river discharge was less than 30,000 m3/s. Approximately 69% of salinity excessive days occurred when the river discharge was less than 15,000 m3/s; (2) the tidal range in the YRE roughly varied in sinusoidal pattern with a 15-day cycle length. Exponential relationship existed between daily salinity (chlorinity) and daily mean tidal range. Combining these two features with the cumulative frequency statistics of tidal ranges, it was showed that notable saltwater intrusion occurred when the tidal range was more than 2.7 m at Qinglonggang station. Moreover, the critical discharge was found to be slightly higher than 11,000 m3/s; (3) various of empirical models for salinity prediction could be chosen to calculate the critical discharge. The values obtained by different models were in the range of 11,000-12,000 m3/s; (4) the proposed critical discharge to reduce notable saltwater intrusion was 11,500 m3/s. After the Three Gorges Reservoir operation, the minimum river discharge into the YRE in 2008–2017 was below the critical discharge, thereby suggesting an increase in the minimum river discharge by reservoir regulation in drought periods.

Tidal range energy resource assessment of the Gulf of California, Mexico

There is growing interest in harnessing renewable energy resources in Latin America. Converting the energy of the tides into electricity has the distinct advantage of being predictable, yet the tidal range resource of Latin America is largely unquantified. The northern part of the Gulf of California (GC) in Mexico has a relatively large mean tidal range (4m–5m), and so could be a potential site for tidal range energy exploitation. A detailed quantification of the theoretical tidal range energy resource was performed using tidal level predictions from a depth-averaged barotropic hydrodynamic model. In addition, a 0-D operation modelling approach was applied to determine the power that can be technically extracted at four key sites. The results show that the annual energy yield ranges from 20 to 50 kWh/m2, while the maximum values are between 45 and 50 kWh/m2 in the vicinity of the Gulf of Santa Clara. Within the region, the Gulf of Santa Clara is one of the most promising, delivering a technical annual energy output of 125 GWh (ebb-only generation), 159 GWh (two-way) and 174 GWh (two-way with pumping) within an impoundment area of 10 km2. This equates to 50%, 40% and 33% of the absolute energy conversion relative to a much-studied reference site (Swansea Bay, UK) that has been under consideration as the world’s first tidal lagoon power plant. This study provides the basis for more detailed analysis of the GC to guide selection of suitable sites for tidal range energy exploitation in the region.

Sea Level, Tidal, and River Flow Trends in the Lower Columbia River Estuary, 1853–present

AbstractFew tidal records are available pre‐1900 for the Pacific Ocean. We improve data coverage by recovering historical tabulations and digitizing analog tide rolls from Astoria, Oregon, for 1853–1876. Nearly 13,500 overlapping images of tides from 1855–1870 were digitized at a 6 min resolution using a line‐finding algorithm. Available hourly and high/low tabulations were also digitized, as were nearby hourly records from 1933 to 1943. Uncertainty was assessed by evaluating manual staff measurements, historical documents, and leveling surveys. Results suggest that uncertainty in mean sea level varies from ±0.07 m (early 1850s) to ±0.03 m (1867–1876) and is driven primarily by datum and benchmark uncertainty, rather than measurement precision, data reduction procedures, or hydrodynamic changes. We also corrected an up‐to 0.05 m error in the 1925–1960 tidal datum at Astoria. Harmonic analysis shows that major tidal constituents increased by up to 7% between 1855 and 2018. Mean tidal range increased by 0.1 m (5%), with more change occurring in July (0.17 m larger) than winter (0.07 m larger). By contrast, sea level increased most in winter and least in spring/summer. Tidally based estimates of river discharge suggest that these observations are caused by a ~50% reduction in peak spring discharge and a 30–60% increase in winter discharge. No evidence of altered upwelling is found. Overall, Astoria relative sea level (RSL) increased by 0.06 m ± 0.04 m since the 1858–1876 epoch or, after accounting for vertical land motion, 0.11 ± 0.09 m. Consistent with GNSS measurements, RSL has dropped near the estuary mouth since 1905, indicating a strong tectonic influence.

An operational forecasting system for physical processes in the Santos-Sao Vicente-Bertioga Estuarine System, Southeast Brazil

We describe the design, implementation, and performance of a fully automated Santos Operational Forecasting System (SOFS), built to monitor and predict short-term (< 3 days) sea surface elevations, currents, temperature, and salinity in the Santos-Sao Vicente-Bertioga Estuarine System (SSVBES). The SSVBES located at 24.0∘S, 46.3∘W is a complex estuarine system with many interconnected channels and two connections with the open sea. The system is prone to storm tides that bring coastal flooding to and interrupt ship traffic through Santos Port. The SOFS hydrodynamic module is based on the Princeton Ocean Model (POM) version POM-rain. The SSVBES model grid is forced by tides, winds, and river runoff and is nested into a coarse-resolution South Brazil Bight (SBB) grid. The SBB grid is forced by winds, density gradients, and the Brazil Current flowing offshore. Within SSVBES, SOFS works in parallel with three real-time observation stations. The model performance was tested against observed data with a best Willmott skill of 0.97 and root mean square error (RMSE) of 13.0 cm for tidal sea level (15.9% of the mean tidal range). For tidal currents, the best skill and RMSE were above 0.99 and 3.9 cm/s (4.3% of the mean tidal current range), respectively. The coupled system was able to simulate seven storm tides with average skill of 0.95 and average RMSE of 17.0 cm. The good agreement with observed data shows the potential use of the designed system to protect both human life and assets.

Multi-hazards vulnerability assessment of southern coasts of Iran

Coastal vulnerability assessment has become one of the most important tools for decision making and providing effective managerial solutions to reduce adverse socio-economic impacts of multiple environmental hazards on coupled social-ecological systems of coastal areas. The aim of this study was to assess the vulnerability of the northern coasts of the Persian Gulf (PG) and the Gulf of Oman (GO) in the Hormozgan province of Iran. Nine variables of vulnerability that included the rate of coastline change, relative sea level rise, coastal slope, mean tidal range, coastal geomorphology, significant wave height (SWH), extreme storm surge, population density, and fishing intensity were weighted, mapped, and combined into the Coastal vulnerability index (CVI). Experts viewed sea level rise, shoreline change and extreme storm surge as most important for imparting vulnerabilities on the northern coasts of PG and GO. Socio-economic variables (i.e., population density and fishery intensity) were considered least important. Of the total length of the provincial shoreline, 27% were classified into the very low vulnerability class, 31% into the low, 17.4% into the moderate, 15.4% into the high, and 9.2% into the very high vulnerability class. About 1295 km (58%) of shorelines were classified into the low and very low vulnerability classes (CVI value ≤ 8.32) and mainly consisted of shorelines on the western coast along the PG. In contrast, 553 km (24.6%) of shorelines were classified into the high and very high vulnerability classes (CVI values > 13.39) and were located along the central coasts (especially in the Qeshm Island and Strait of Hormuz) and on the east coasts of the GO. At least a quarter of all shorelines in the province have high and very high vulnerability to environmental hazards that are the harbingers of climate change.

Evaluation of coastal vulnerability for the District of Buenaventura, Colombia: A geospatial approach

The District of Buenaventura is in the west of Colombia and of vital importance for the country in many aspects. Apart from being a robust economic contributor to the region, and the country, because of its ports, tourists and biodiversity, it is the urban nucleus with the largest population in the Colombian Pacific. It has a varied coastline with several types of the geomorphological elements ranging from hills with cliffs, extensive mangrove plains to barriers islands with beach fronts forming most of the coastline. This study applied the coastal vulnerability index (CVI) using eight variables, three physical/hydrodynamical, three geological/geomorphological, and two socioeconomic variables, which are as follows: Rate of Sea Level Rise, Mean Tidal Range, Significant Wave Height, Shoreline Change Rate, Geomorphology, Regional Coastal Slope, Land Use and Coverage, Population – coastal settlements and economic activities, respectively. The variables considered are parameters of relative vulnerability and are evaluated using the geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing procedures, employing a geospatial approach. The littoral was classified into five ranges of relative vulnerability, evaluating 276 sections; 19.57% (54 km) is in the range of very high vulnerability, 19.93% (55 km) in the high vulnerability range, 19.20% (53 km) in the moderate vulnerability range, 21.01% (58 km) in the low vulnerability range, and 20.29% (56 km) in the very low vulnerability range. These results can be used as an essential tool allowing decision-makers to establish management measures aiming to reduce risks and for communities to adapt to future changes in the face of the relative rise in sea level.