Portuguese Northwest Beach Classification Using Aerial Photographs and GIS Tools

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2009

Authors

Pais Barbosa, J (Author) Other; Veloso Gomes, F (Author) FEUP; Taveira Pinto, F (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Coastal Research

No. SI 39

Pages: 1552-1556

ISSN: 0749-0208

Publisher: Coastal Education & Research Foundation, Inc.

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 9 Citations

Scopus - 12 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Earth and related Environmental sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-QYA

Abstract (EN): Coastal features and patterns and its correlation through time are very important to understand coastal evolution, for coastal planning and management proposes. For the Portuguese coast (mesotidal type) the morphological classification is scarce. In this context, the main objective of this paper is to present results of the identification and analysis of the morphodynamic and hydrodynamic features and patterns in the coastal interface zone under study, as well as the beach system morphodynamic classification, using historical data namely aerial photography analyzed with a Geographical Information Systems (GIS). GIS was used to identify features and patterns, to measure its dimensions and comparison analyzes. The results obtained were correlated with wave climate and other sea parameters. In parallel several morphological parameters were calculated and compared with different models presented by several authors. The results show a good approach, leading to a better understanding and classification of the Portuguese northwest coastal morphology. As a result of this study a GIS geodatabase was created, able to be expanded to other geographic and scientific areas, as well as to integrate new datasets. Was also possible to classify morphologically the beaches mostly as intermediate (ridge-runnel or low tide terrace - rhythmic bar and beach), and observe that coastal features and patterns are strictly related with wave climate. A set of morphological parameters that can provide a good approach for beach stage classification of coastal areas especially where Omega is unknown was also selected

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 5