Integrated Assessment of Shoreline Change along the Calypsostranda (Svalbard) from Remote Sensing, Field Survey and GIS

Abstract

Arctic coasts are sensitive indicators of polar environment change. Here we present the results of a study that examines the coastal morphodynamics of the Calypsostranda coastline in Svalbard (High Arctic) between 2007 to 2017 and compare these short-term changes to previous studies for the period 1936–2007. During the 2007–2017 study period, the study area lost ca. 10,710 m², at a mean Net Shoreline Movement (NSM) of −1.86 m and End Point Rate (EPR) −0.19 m/yr. Erosion also dominated between 1936–2007, −28,800 m², at a mean NSM of −4.99 m and EPR −0.07 m/yr. Using EPR and Linear Regression Rate (LRR) parameters, we divide the Calypsostranda coastline into eroding and aggrading zones. The overall pattern of coastline change during the two study periods is similar, but the rate of erosion is higher in the recent interval, reflecting stronger climate-driven processes. Recent climate warming in the study area has been accompanied by an intensification of extreme events such as storms (e.g. ocean swell). The situation is becoming more pronounced due to the progressively reduced period of winter shore ice. Depending on the anemometric conditions, the Calypsostranda coast is modified by wind waves, and consequently longshore currents and associated sediment movement.

Keywords:

• Coastal change
• coastal erosion
• coastal morphodynamics
• DSAS
• shoreline hazard map
• Svalbard

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Antony Long (UK) and the reviewers for suggestions that improved this paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported from the project of the National Science Centre No. 2013/09/B/ST10/04141—‘The impact of the sea ice conditions in the nearshore zone and shore ice on the wave propagation and coastal morphodynamics in polar regions based on the example of south-western Spitsbergen—the analysis of processes, modelling, and prediction’.

Notes on contributors

Piotr Zagórski

P.Z. and K.J. collected field data. P.Z., K.J., and J.S. created the concept, designed the study, and wrote this manuscript. P.Z. and K.J. performed GIS (DSAS) analysis of shoreline change. P.Z. prepared the figures.

Kamila Jarosz

P.Z. and K.J. collected field data. P.Z., K.J., and J.S. created the concept, designed the study, and wrote this manuscript. P.Z. and K.J. performed GIS (DSAS) analysis of shoreline change. P.Z. prepared the figures.

Józef Superson

P.Z. and K.J. collected field data. P.Z., K.J., and J.S. created the concept, designed the study, and wrote this manuscript. P.Z. and K.J. performed GIS (DSAS) analysis of shoreline change. P.Z. prepared the figures.