Assessing risks at the land-sea interface: the case study of the Veneto coastal area

Abstract

Coastal zones are fragile environments, affected by a variety of anthropogenic and natural pressures, which generate multiple risks to several ecological and socio-economical assets. In addition, the precarious condition of global coastal areas is exacerbated by the increasing consequences of climate change (e.g., sea-level rise, extreme events), which magnify the related risks and impacts. In order to face the growing vulnerability of regions at the land-sea interface, new approaches and tools are needed to support decision-makers and coastal managers in developing sustainable climate adaptation plans. The activities in the frame of this thesis are: i) a literature review of the state-of-art methodologies implemented to assess risks in relation to coastal ecosystems and communities; ii) data collection and evaluation of natural and anthropic stressors (e.g. sea level, waves, temperature, ph, nutrients, precipitation) through analysis of environmental monitoring or satellite data; iii) the development of an integrated risk-assessment approach, by combing different indicators of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability in a GIS environment, to evaluate climate impacts on coastal ecosystems and communities at the land-sea interface in the Veneto coastal areas. The results of the research include indicators and metrics intended to support policymakers and stakeholders in the adoption of risk management strategies, capable of enhancing the resilience of climate change in the investigated area.