Coastal vulnerability analysis along the coast of Pescara (Adriatic Sea, Central Italy)

Coastal processes determine rapid environmental changes and landscape modifications in beach systems: coasts are potentially vulnerable to accelerated erosion hazard and human infrastructures are threatened by severe erosional processes. In this context the coastal vulnerability analysis may represent an essential tool for hazard mitigation and management purposes. The Adriatic coast between Pescara and Ortona has been selected as study area because it is strongly targeted by sea erosion and several protection interventions have been made. The Vulnerability Assessment Methodology proposed has been previously applied in the Venice Lagoon. Based on a system of numerical weights and scores, the VAM allows the construction of a local vulnerability map in which the Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) is represented for different sectors of the study area. The VAM takes into account LiDAR data, satellite images, aero-photos, bathymetric profiles and topographic maps to measure quantitative features (beach amplitude, berm height, seafloor gradient, seafloor and shoreline evolution) that are significant for the evaluation of the potential vulnerability (Vp). In order to evaluate the effective vulnerability (Ve), we also estimate natural features (dunes) and anthropic infrastructures that result in shoreline defence and preservation (Ve = Vp - D, where D = Dune + Dn). The aim of VAM is to evidence the main vulnerable areas that should have priority in the mitigation strategy performed within the study area