Print Email Facebook Twitter The implication of future shoreline management on protected habitats in Poole Harbour under sea-level rise Title The implication of future shoreline management on protected habitats in Poole Harbour under sea-level rise Author Yu, M. Contributor Stive, M.J.F. (mentor) Gardner, S. (mentor) Faculty Civil Engineering and Geosciences Department Hydraulic Engineering Programme CoMEM - Coastal and Marine Engineering and Management Date 2009-07-01 Abstract Existing Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) for Poole Harbour was the first generation produced in 2004, which is before statutory obligations to protect the natural coastline were fully realised. Under the idea of ‘adopting a sustainable policy for the longer-term’, at present the second generation of SMP is being produced. This study was conducted to identify changes in coastal habitats under sea-level rise and to inform development of SMP2 in order to comply with the requirement of the European Union Habitats and Birds Directives. The focus was on mudflat and saltmarsh habitats as these are not only the largest coastal habitats of the Harbour, but also immediately under threat from sea-level rise and coastal management decision. This study involved the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software in a modelling-based approach to study the behaviour of inter-tidal habitats in response to predicted changes in sea level for the remainder of the 21st century. Under the BRANCH project guidelines, ArcGIS was used to model the current and future distribution of habitats in the region. The present state of the habitats was first modelled using three basic inputs- topographical LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), tidal data from the Harbour and assumed boundary conditions for the zonation of the habitats with respect to tidal range. The accuracy of this model was verified with available Aerial Photographic Interpretation (API) data. The model was then used to evaluate new distributions and areas for all the habitats for changes in sea-levels by the 2085. Based on the Tidal Elevation Testing results and sediment transport studies the SPM1 management units were refined. Using all above results and considering four specific coastal management options, a feasible management plan for the refined units were derived, keeping in mind the relevant land-use restrictions and other spatial planning issues. The project concluded that the ‘flexible and safe’ combination of the options of ‘Do Nothing’, ‘Selective Hold the Line’ and ‘Selective Managed Realignment’ were best suited for the coastal habitats in south and west of the Harbour assuming that the sea-level rose according to the DEFRA scenario and taking into consideration the large uncertainties inherent in sea-level rise predictions. Subject shoreline managementcoastal habitatsealevel risepoole harbourestuary To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:e39f658d-42d3-4f1f-ab29-e9df10ddccb6 Part of collection Student theses Document type master thesis Rights (c) 2009 Yu, M. Files PDF Yu2009.pdf 14.01 MB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:e39f658d-42d3-4f1f-ab29-e9df10ddccb6/datastream/OBJ/view