Coastal Erosion Monitoring

Coastal Erosion Monitoring is the systematic observation and measurement of shoreline retreat and coastal land loss using remote sensingRemote SensingRemote sensing is the science of collecting data about Earth's surface without direct physical contact, primarily usi..., field surveys, and geospatial analysisGeospatial AnalysisGeospatial analysis applies statistical methods and specialized software to interpret spatial data, uncovering patter.... Coastlines are dynamic boundaries shaped by waves, currents, tides, storm surges, and sea level changes, with erosion threatening coastal communities, infrastructure, ecosystems, and cultural heritage worldwide. Monitoring programs use time-series analysis of satellite imagerySatellite ImagerySatellite imagery consists of photographs and data captured by Earth observation satellites orbiting the planet. Thes..., aerial photographs, and topographic surveys to quantify erosion rates and predict future shoreline positions. Geospatial Methods for Coastal MonitoringSatellite imagery analysis extracts shoreline positions from optical and radar imagery captured over decades, calculating erosion or accretion rates by measuring shoreline movement between dates. Aerial photography and drone surveys provide higher resolution shoreline mapping for detailed local assessments. LiDARLiDARLight Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is a remote sensing technology that measures distances using laser pulses to crea... surveys create precise topographic and bathymetric models of coastal terrain, measuring volume changes in beaches, dunes, and cliffs. Coastal change analysis compares multi-temporal digital elevation models to quantify sediment loss, bluff retreat, and beach profile changes. GISGISGeographic Information Systems (GIS) enable users to analyze and visualize spatial data to uncover patterns, relation...-based vulnerability mapping combines erosion rates with coastal infrastructure, population density, and property value data to identify areas at greatest risk. Applications and ChallengesShoreline management planning uses erosion data to evaluate protection strategies including beach nourishment, seawalls, managed retreat, and nature-based solutions. Coastal hazard zoningZoningZoning is a land use planning tool that divides geographic areas into zones with specific permitted uses, building st... restricts development in areas projected to experience significant erosion over planning horizons. Climate change adaptation planning uses sea level rise projections combined with erosion models to estimate future coastal land loss. Habitat monitoring tracks erosion impacts on coastal wetlands, mangroves, and dune ecosystems. Key challenges include separating long-term erosion trends from short-term storm-driven fluctuations, accurately projecting how sea level rise will accelerate future erosion, balancing coastal protection with natural sediment dynamics, and managing the political difficulties of retreat from eroding coastlines.