Integrated assessment of physical vulnerability in estuarine coastal plains: the Itajaí-Açu river case study, Brazil
Abstract Identifying coastal sectors prone to impacts due to climate change is essential for decision-making, especially in the current context of increasing occupation of these areas. Although coastal plains associated with estuaries are ecologically and economically important, methodologies that a...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Discover Geoscience |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44288-025-00190-x |
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| Summary: | Abstract Identifying coastal sectors prone to impacts due to climate change is essential for decision-making, especially in the current context of increasing occupation of these areas. Although coastal plains associated with estuaries are ecologically and economically important, methodologies that analyze their integrated vulnerability to both erosion and flooding events are scarce. This article presents a method to assess the physical vulnerability of the area adjacent to the estuarine portion of the Itajaí-Açu River, Santa Catarina, Brazil (southern Brazil), in relation to these two sources of impact. The approach integrates geomorphological data, elevation, slope, and land use and land cover to identify areas vulnerable to extreme events. The results showed that 56% of the analyzed area has high or moderately high vulnerability and that the associated fluvial terraces have 52% of their surface classified as highly vulnerable. The predominant land use and land cover class is agriculture and pasture mosaic, corresponding to 35% of the total area, with 54% classified as highly vulnerable, indicating a need for special attention due to its economic importance. The developed methodology can be adapted and replicated to other estuaries, expanding its use and contributing to a more robust understanding of estuary vulnerability in various regions. |
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| ISSN: | 2948-1589 |