A MODEL FOR DETERMINING THE CLASSIFICATION AND VULNERABILITY

DIEZ, P.G.; PERILLO, G.M.E.; PICCOLO, M.C.

Bahía Blanca

Congreso; ECSA 44: SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT OF ESTUARIES AND COASTS: A TALE OF TWO HEMISPHERES; 2008

Estuarine Coastal Science Association-Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía

The classification of the coastal area has a strong consequence over its environmental quality and management; it is essential to know the physical and social parameters before establishing managing strategies. The approximately 6800 km long  Argentine coast was divided into 17 stretches, each of which were described by 21 variables of specific geomorphologic, climatic, oceanographic and socioeconomic characteristics. The matrix of the variables was processed using cluster analysis. The result of this investigation enabled us to determine the relationship between the variables and to group similar coastal tracts. To attribute the vulnerability to sea level rise to each one an algorithm that relates seven variables and can be used to identify areas in risk of erosion or permanent/temporary flood was calculated The results show that 22.4 % of the Argentine coast is under a very high vulnerability risk in case of a sea level rise. Generally, these sectors are composed by low areas mainly made of unconsolidated sediments, easily floodable as well as areas with high coastal regression due to marine erosion. Many of the vulnerable areas are coastal wetlands with considerable biological diversity. In order to implement appropriate strategies to face up to the increase of the sea level, the risk areas must be identified objectively. Therefore, the database created, together with the related risk maps, provide a useful guide to get the first approach of policies on coastal management.