Quantifying coastal inundation vulnerability of Turkey to sea-level rise

Environ Monit Assess. 2008 Mar;138(1-3):101-6. doi: 10.1007/s10661-007-9746-7. Epub 2007 May 15.

Abstract

The vulnerability of low-lying coastal areas in Turkey to inundation was quantified based on the sea-level rise scenarios of 1, 2, and 3 m by 2205. Through digital elevation model (DEM) acquired by the shuttle radar topography mission (SRTM), the extent and distribution of the high to low-risk coastal plains were identified. The spatio-temporal analysis revealed the inundated coastal areas of 545, 1,286, and 2,125 km2 at average rates of 5, 10, and 15 mm yr(-1) for 200 years, respectively. This is equivalent to minimum and maximum land losses by 2205 of 0.1-0.3% of the total area and of 1.3-5.2% of the coastal areas with elevations of less than 100 m in the country, respectively. This study provides an initial assessment of vulnerability to sea-level rise to help decision-makers, and other concerned stakeholders to develop appropriate public policies and land-use planning measures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Forecasting
  • Greenhouse Effect*
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Seawater*
  • Turkey