95988 - Coastal Systems and Global Change

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to introduce students to the main impacts of global change on coastal systems in the past, present and future. Climate changes in the geological time (and particularly in the Late Quaternary) will be taken into account for contextualizing recent/current trends in coastal behavior, and for better understanding the role of the anthropogenic component. Key processes interacting at different temporal and spatial scales on coastal systems and driving their dynamic evolution will be considered. The effects of global change on modern coastal systems will be discussed, with emphasis on major threats due to sea-level rise, to the occurrence of extreme events, coastal erosion and flooding. Possible mitigation and adaptation strategies, enhancing resilience and reducing vulnerability of coastal systems, are also introduced.

Course contents

Introduction to the coastal zone: definition and limits, geological heritage. Spatial and temporal scales in coastal behavior. Main hydrodynamic processes acting in the coastal zone: wind-generated waves and currents, tides and storm surges. Processes affecting sea-level at long, medium and short term. Estimates of recent local and global sea-level rise and predicted scenarios in a climate change perspective. Climate change and potential impacts at the coast: coastal vulnerability to extreme events and sea-level rise.

Coastal systems in low-lying coasts: wave- and tide-dominated littoral systems, deltas and estuaries. Cliffed coasts and factors affecting their evolution.

The beach: beach sediments and transport processes; hydrodynamic and morphological profile of the beach and its short-to medium-term variations in relation with environmental factors and the seasonal wave climate.

Main traditional and up-to-date techniques for coastal study and monitoring. Coastal erosion, natural and anthropogenic causes and possible defense policies in the view of sustainable development. Possible mitigation and adaptation strategies. The Emilia-Romagna coast as a case-study.

Readings/Bibliography

The main reference texts are the following:

Davidson-Arnott R., 2010. Introduction to Coastal Processes and Geomorphology. Cambridge University Press.

Masselink G., Gehrels R., 2014. Coastal Environments and Global Change. Wiley.

Further specific readings (repports, etc.) will be provided on specific topics.

Teaching methods

The course is composed of frontal lessons (5 CFU), integrated with laboratory  activities, seminars in class and a field trip (1CFU).

Assessment methods

The final exam is composed of two parts:

1) an essay/comment individually made by each student on a literature paper (selected from a list of papers provided by the teacher) dealing with the course contents. This has to be completed before the exam;

2) a written test in class (multiple choice questions + open questions) on the course subjects.

Evaluation: max 10 points for the essay, max 21 points for the test = total max 31 points = 30L

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Slides projected during the lessons and other integrating material will be available at the course repository web site "Virtuale".

Office hours

See the website of Claudia Romagnoli