Research Theme 4
Introduction
The Tyndall Centre's research on sustaining the coastal zone contributes to the understanding of natural processes and human activities around coastlines in the UK and other countries. The results will provide the basis for the flexible adaptation to changing climate and environmental conditions.
The flagship project is the development of a regional coastal simulator to explore climate change impacts and potential ways to adapt. Researchers will also explore the sensitivity and adaptability of important coastal economic sectors and environmental services, to produce a vulnerability assessment of the UK coastline. Strategies to conserve coastal biodiversity will be developed and tested, with a focus on tropical small island states. The research will identify the right mix of defence options; from redesigning the structure of coastlines to accommodate higher sea levels and storm surges, to engineering options such as reinforcing sea walls to conserve important areas. Radically new management strategies such as relocation must be supported by careful analysis and wide participation, so new methods of stakeholder involvement, such as virtual-reality sessions, will be required.
The research demonstrates the focused use of integrated assessment in a local, vulnerable environment. The researchers will liaise with local stakeholders to explore redesign strategies in selected coastal areas and then scale up these case studies to larger sections of coastline within the UK and also for small island states.
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