On the status and mechanisms of coastal erosion in Marawila Beach, Sri Lanka

Coastal erosion remains a problem in many developing countries because of a limited understating of erosion mechanisms and management. Sri Lanka is one of the countries that recognized coastal erosion management as a governmental responsibility, in 1984. Nevertheless, erosion mechanisms have not yet been fully understood. We investigate the status and mechanisms of coastal erosion using empirically collected data and various techniques, such as Geographic Information System analysis of satellite images, drone mapping, bathymetric surveys, hindcasting of wind-induced wave climate, questionnaires, and semi-structured interview surveys. We identified wave climate change, reduction in river sand supply, interruptions from previous erosion management measures, and offshore sand mining as potential causes of erosion considering sediment flux and rates of erosion. Erosion of Marawila Beach began during 2005–2010 and has been continuing ever since, due to a lack of integration in the beach and the entire sediment system. It is necessary to identify the long-term, large-scale changes in the sediment system through data collection. This study highlights the importance of an integrated coastal erosion management plan and could facilitate better coastal erosion management in Sri Lanka, as well as in other developing countries

Net longshore sediment transport at jetties along the Gulf of Thailand

This research focused on net alongshore sediment transport at 3 major jetties in Thailand, being Cha Am jetty, Krai jetty, and Na Saton jetty. The survey was conducted in August 2019, September 2019, August 2020, and September 2020. The field investigations measured coastal elevation by Real Time Kinematic (RTK) technique. The coastal level along 2-km shoreline south from each jetty was surveyed with each beach profile being spaced 25 m apart. In order to cover the sub-aerial and intertidal zones, the uppermost point of each beach profile was set at a beach dune, while the lowermost point was set at an elevation of -0.5 m from national mean sea level

Economic valuation of preventing beach erosion: comparing existing and non-existing beach markets with stated and revealed preferences

Altres ajuts: CSO2013-42513-PPredicted climate change is likely to increase beach erosion in the future, inducing higher costs of beach maintenance. Hence, additional funds for their protection will be required. We examine the willingness to pay (WTP) of beach visitors for preventing beach erosion in the form of daily beach entrance fees in Crikvenica, Croatia, by applying the contingent valuation method. This is the first beach valuation study for this country in transition which has emerged as an important Mediterranean tourist destination. The novelty of our study is that it compares WTP estimates for an existing and a non-existing beach market. This is done by conducting a survey at the beach where an entrance fee is already levied and at the nearest open-access beach. Based on the initial (follow-up) valuation question the stated WTP per adult per day for avoiding beach erosion equals €1.69 (€1.26) for the paid beach and €2.08 (€1.84) for the free beach. In addition, the travel cost method is employed. It reveals that consumer surpluses for visiting the paid and the free beach amount to €2.57 and €1.74, respectively