Assessing relative coastal vulnerability in a macrotidal environment to the increased risk of storm surges due to climate change

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dc.contributor.advisor Van Proosdij, Danika, 1969-
dc.creator Tibbetts, Jeremy R.
dc.date.accessioned 2013-05-16T19:42:18Z
dc.date.available 2013-05-16T19:42:18Z
dc.date.issued 2012
dc.identifier.other GC225 T53 2012
dc.identifier.uri http://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/24950
dc.description ix, 168 leaves : col. ill., col. maps ; 29 cm. en_CA
dc.description Includes abstract and appendices.
dc.description Includes bibliographical references.
dc.description.abstract Historically, there has always been a close relationship between Atlantic Canadians and the ocean; however, under climate change this relationship is evolving. In collaboration with the Atlantic Climate Adaptation Solutions (ACASA) project, the overall purpose of this research was to develop a tool which determines the vulnerability of a macrotidal coastal environment, such as those found in the Bay of Fundy, to the increased risk of storm surges associated with climate change, based on several physical and anthropogenic parameters. In order to achieve the goal of developing a vulnerability assessment tool, two main objectives were defined. First, a conceptual framework was designed which outlined the variables to be used in the analysis and to illustrate the relationship among them. The variables used in this analysis are: freeboard, observed erodibility, coastal slope, width of foreshore, the presence of anthropogenic or natural protection, the presence of vegetation and coastline exposure (fetch length, dominant wind direction, and significant wave height) and morphological resilience. Second, the guidelines set out in the framework were used to develop a custom Python programming script, within a geographic information system (GIS), in order to calculate coastal vulnerability. The analysis was performed for four coastlines, backshore, upper foreshore, middle foreshore and lower foreshore. The results of the analysis, which highlight areas of concern in regards to the risk of storm surge, allow for coastal managers and other stake holders, to make informed decisions for adaptation solutions. en_CA
dc.description.provenance Submitted by Dianne MacPhee (dianne.macphee@smu.ca) on 2013-05-16T19:42:18Z No. of bitstreams: 0 en
dc.description.provenance Made available in DSpace on 2013-05-16T19:42:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012 en
dc.language.iso en en_CA
dc.publisher Halifax, N.S. : Saint Mary's University en_CA
dc.subject.lcc GC225
dc.subject.lcsh Storm surges -- Mathematical models
dc.subject.lcsh Climatic changes -- Risk assessment
dc.subject.lcsh Coasts -- Environmental aspects
dc.subject.lcsh Coastal zone management
dc.title Assessing relative coastal vulnerability in a macrotidal environment to the increased risk of storm surges due to climate change en_CA
dc.type Text en_CA
thesis.degree.name Master of Science in Applied Science
thesis.degree.level Masters
thesis.degree.discipline Geography
thesis.degree.grantor Saint Mary's University (Halifax, N.S.)
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