There is evidence that reefs have grown and can continuously provide protection under rising sea levels 11, 17 if they remain healthy. Coral reefs are important coastal protection assets 15, because the reef dissipates most of the incoming wave energy 16. Together with constant sediment provision by the coral reef 13, the wave-induced sediment transport allows reef islands to mitigate erosion 14 and accrete vertically in response to sea level rise 11, 12. Swell waves are characterized by a long wave period and play a key role in the island development on reef platforms 11, 12.
#Install ny weather indicator ubuntu 16 driver#
Thus, wave-induced currents on the reef platform are an important driver of sediment transport 5, 6 and the interplay of waves, sea level, reef platform, and sediment production are major elements of reef island genesis and evolution 5, 7, 8, 9: For example, when looking at the Maldives, monsoonal wind-wave events have an impact on locally characteristic island morphology, but, in general, distant-source swell waves are dominant in the regional wave climate 5, 8, 10. Likewise, these environmental pressures are constituent parts of the natural dynamics: Coastal environments react to hydrodynamic pressures with a morphodynamic response. Seaborne hazards on low-lying islands are typically rising sea levels, severe storm surges and swell waves. In the upcoming decades, stronger and more frequent seaborne hazards will follow global heating, making small islands – in extreme situations – potentially uninhabitable 2, 4. Small low-lying islands and atolls are especially susceptible to the impacts of sea-level rise, as there is often no higher ground available for the local population to retreat to. There is high confidence and evidence that climate-change induced sea-level rise increases the risk of small islands to suffer from ocean-borne impacts associated with high tides and swells 1, 2, 3. This interdisciplinary approach demonstrates how small-islands’ adaptive capacities are typically impaired and disclose the potential of local knowledge to overcome maldevelopment. To review these perceptions, natural dynamics are recreated with process-based methods and discussed regarding present and projected marine pressures. Population surveys and interviews with actors in coastal development complement the physical insights into erosion on Fuvahmulah and describe the socio-political dimension of climate change adaptation on small islands.
#Install ny weather indicator ubuntu 16 drivers#
The national government and Fuvahmulah’s population have an opposed perception and attribution of the drivers and processes behind Fuvahmulah’s most pressing coastal issue – coastal erosion. In this sense, this study scrutinizes coastal processes and socio-political dimensions of erosion on the reef island Fuvahmulah, the Maldives. Therefore, an interdisciplinary perspective on the interaction of natural dynamics, societal demands, and political decisions is crucial. False adaptation can lead to adverse impacts on natural and societal dynamics. Adapting to climate change and sea level rise is challenging on small islands.
0 kommentar(er)
