Morphometric Classification and GIS-Based Data Analysis in Coastal Modeling and Management

ABSTRACT

This paper describes how morphometric classification (based on openness, form, depth and size) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can be used for possible identification of coastal areas sensitive to pollution. Generalized maps of key water properties are then created for as large parts of Europe as possible using large amounts of empirical data. These maps give an overview of the general spatial pattern of the presented properties and offer identification of highly polluted coastal areas. They also provide input and reference data for two dynamic ecosystem models (CoastWeb and CoastMab) suitable for in-depth studies of individual coastal areas or regions. A modeling case study of coastal eutrophication is presented to illustrate that these general models may be practically applied for simulations related to the response of coastal ecosystems to various remedial scenarios using only the data presented in the morphometric coastal classification system and in the generalized overview maps.