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

Coastal vulnerability analysis along the coast of Pescara (Adriatic Sea) Tarragoni1* C., Caputo1 C., Davoli1 L., Evangelista1 S., Pugliese1 F., Raffi1 R., Bellotti1 P. & Lupia Palmieri1 E. 1 “La Sapienza” Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5; 00185 - Roma *claudia.tarragoni@uniroma1.it Key words: Coastal Vulnerability, Adriatic Sea. The coastal environment is highly sensitive to high-dynamic geomorphic processes that determine rapid environmental changes and landscape modifications. These may be amplified by the relative sea level rise superimposed on local environmental processes. In coasts densely inhabited and settled by human infrastructures, the coastal vulnerability analysis may represent an essential tool for hazard mitigation and management purposes. We present results from the ongoing SECOA Project (7th FP), with reference to the Adriatic coast along Pescara. The analytical model herein adopted has been previously applied in the Venice Lagoon. We used 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=Vp-D), we also estimate natural features (dunes) and anthropic infrastructures that result in shoreline defence and preservation (Dn). The coastal area along Pescara has been segmented in different sectors characterized by variables displaying homogeneous values (Vn and Dn) and scaled by an efficacy coefficient (Kn). For each sectors the vulnerability values have been calculated and referred to one of the five corresponding standard vulnerability class (representing with specific colours). This methodology has been applied both to the short-term and long-term interval (2100). With reference to the latter, we considered the impact of relative sea level rise according to the IPCC and Rahmstorf hypotheses. Our results on the short-term scenario show Vp values typical of the medium and medium-low classes, whereas Ve values fall in the lowest class only, therefore implying high values of D that, in turn, indicate a high concentration of coastal defence structures. Similar results are obtained with reference to the long-term in the case of both hypothesis, further evidencing the overwhelming employment of defence structures.