Outlining an approach to address Geospherical and Biospherical aspects of Coastal Squeeze in the Mediterranean

Hildinger, A.; Braun, A. 2016. Outlining an approach to address geospherical and biospherical aspects of Coastal Squeeze in the Mediterranean. In: Vila-Concejo, A.; Bruce, E.; Kennedy, D.M., and McCarroll, R.J. (eds.), Proceedings of the 14th International Coastal Symposium (Sydney, Australia). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue, No. 75, pp. 997 - 1001. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.

Sea level changes and growing anthropogenic pressures on coasts worldwide represent a pressing matter that urges investigations across disciplines. The Coastal Squeeze concept is appropriate for this purpose. It addresses coastal dynamics regarding geomorphological and anthropogenic impacts like landward constructions i.e. barrages, with a focus on coastal management. Regarding the role of coastal ecosystems in mitigation to climate change and sea level rise the ecological impacts caused by coastal squeeze can no longer be neglected. The paper develops a research concept to link geospherical and biospherical aspects of Coastal Squeeze within a Mediterranean study site. In order to understand coastal squeeze dynamics along a coastline complex, an integrating approach should address the whole coastline working from a regional to a local scale. The regional scale encompasses coastal types, changes in sea level, sediment supply, flooding, inundation, salt water intrusion and landward barriers (geosphere). On the local scale an integrated approach should take into account significant environmental parameters as they will determine the localization of future coastal ecosystems (biosphere). For the study area a coast of the Mediterranean Sea that is made up of different coastal types, high anthropogenic impacts and micro-tidal dynamics was chosen. Due to also being a biodiversity hotspot this region represents a suitable study site for ecosystem related coastal squeeze research. This work in progress will be presented and discussed at the International Coastal Symposium 2016.