28238 - Integrated Management of Coastal Areas

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student knows the main factors and processes involved in coastal morphodynamics and the main interdisciplinary items related to coastal zone management. He has got theoretical and technical instruments for a correct approach for an integrated coastal zone analysis and management. 

Course contents

Part 1:

Introduction: coastal zone: definition and limits, classification approaches. Spatial and temporal scales in littoral dynamics. The GIZC and MSP approach for the management and sustainable use of resources in marine and coastal areas.

Main hydrodynamic processes acting in the coastal zone: wind, waves and currents, tides and storm surges. Sea-level variations: causes of sea-level variations at long, medium and short term. Estimates of global sea-level rise and predicted scenarios.

Coastal geomorphology: cliffed coasts and factors affecting their evolution. Wave- and tide-dominated littoral systems. Deltas and estuaries.

Littoral morphodynamics: the beach, hydrodynamic and morphological profile, the control of the wave climate or sea-level changes. Littoral circulation models and sediment transport. Morphodynamic classification: characteristics of dissipative and reflective beaches. Elements of sedimentary balance. Main traditional and up-to-date techniques for coastal study and monitoring.

Coastal erosion: natural and anthropogenic causes and possible defense policies. Human efforts to mitigate wave action and to protect the coasts. Approaches to coastal hazard assessment and management. Coastal vulnerability to extreme events.

The GIZC-MSP approach: EU directives. Management and  sustainable use of marine and coastal resources in the framework of "blue growth" and environmental protection.

 Part 2:  this part will deal with the potential of continental shelves as sources of sandy sediment for beach nourishing, in a strategy of coastal defence. Case-histories from the Emilia Romagna region will be presented.

Readings/Bibliography

Teaching material used during the lessons (slides) will be available on the IOL web site.

The integration with the following texts might be useful:

Pranzini E., 2004. La forma delle coste. Zanichelli.

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

Barbanti A. , Perini L. (eds.), 2018. Fra la terra e il mare: analisi e proposte per la Pianificazione dello Spazio Marittimo in Emilia Romagna. ISBN 978-88-941335-0-9. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1184364

 

 

Teaching methods

The course is composed of two parts for a total of 6 CFU:

- Modulo 1: 4CFU frontal lessons and 1CFU of field trip (total 5 CFU).

- Modulo 2: 1CFU of seminars and laboratory activities at CNR-ISMAR.

Assessment methods

The final exam is oral and it could be integrated with e written report dealing with GIZC in the Emilia Romagna region (subject of the field trip).

Teaching tools

Slides projected during the lessons and other integrating material will be available at IOL web site.

Office hours

See the website of Claudia Romagnoli

See the website of Annamaria Correggiari