Prediction of shoreline changes in Almanarre beach using geospatial techniques

Abstract

In this study, the remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques coupled with the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) is applied to detect the historical shoreline changes as well as to predict the future shoreline position along Almanarre beach which is being threatened by severe erosion. The results show that Almanarre beach suffered erosion with an average annual change rate of about -0.24 m/year over the period of 1973-2015. The most severe erosion was observed near Landmark B17 with the maximum erosion rate of -0.86 m/year. Moreover, the shoreline change in 2020 and 2050 are predicted at approximately -0.05 m/year and -0.22 m/year, respectively. The areas around Landmarks B06-08 and Landmarks B16-18 will be eroded with the maximum recession rates of -0.89 m/year and -0.94 m/year, respectively. This research proves that the combination of geospatial techniques and numerical model can be a reliable approach for investigating the shoreline change trend.