Forecasting Impacts on Vulnerable Shorelines: Vulnerability Assessment along the Coastal Zone of Messolonghi Area-Western Greece

The coastal areas of the Mediterranean have been extensively affected by the transgressive event that followed the Last Glacial Maximum, with many studies conducted regarding the stratigraphic configuration of coastal sediments around the Mediterranean. The coastal zone of the Messolonghi area, western Greece, consists of low-relief beaches, containing low cliffs and eroded dunes, a fact that, in combination with the rising sea levels and tectonic subsidence of the area, has led to substantial coastal erosion. Coastal vulnerability assessment is a useful means of identifying areas of coastline that are vulnerable to impacts of climate change and coastal processes, highlighting potential problem areas. Commonly, coastal vulnerability assessment takes the form of an index that quantifies the relative vulnerability along a coastline. Here, the Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) methodology by Thieler and Hammar-Klose was employed, by considering geological features, coastal slope, relative sea-level change, shoreline erosion/accretion rates, and mean significant wave height as well as mean tide range, to assess the present-day vulnerability of the coastal zone of the Messolonghi area. In light of this, an impact assessment is performed under three different sea-level-rise scenarios. This study contributes toward coastal zone management practices in low-lying coastal areas that have little data information, assisting decision-makers in adopting best adaptation options to overcome the impact of sea-level rise on vulnerable areas, similar to the coastal zone of Messolonghi.

Automated summary

The coastal areas of the Mediterranean have been significantly affected by the post-Last Glacial Maximum transgressive event. The Messolonghi coastal zone in western Greece, characterized by low-relief beaches, cliffs, and eroded dunes, has experienced substantial coastal erosion due to rising sea levels and tectonic subsidence. This study employs the Coastal Vulnerability Index methodology to assess the vulnerability of the Messolonghi coastal zone, considering geological features, coastal slope, sea-level change, erosion/accretion rates, wave height, and tide range. The findings contribute to coastal zone management in low-lying coastal areas with limited data, helping decision-makers choose appropriate adaptation options.