CoastView focuses on the physical problems associated with sedimentary coasts. This project aims to simplify the task of the coastal manager who needs to know when a valuable component of the coast is at risk, which processes are responsible, and consequently what appropriate form of intervention (if any) is required in order to sustain or improve the resource. CoastView has two primary objectives:
1. To develop resource-related 'Coastal State Indicators' (CSIs) for describing the dynamic state of the coast, in support of coastal zone management.
2. To develop and verify video-based monitoring methods and associated analysis techniques for estimating and interpreting these CSIs.
New video systems, theory & software for data collection and evaluation of CSIs will be delivered. Data for the verification of video-derived CSIs will be collected from four environmental groups each with clearly defined management problems typical of European Coastlines. These include continuous coastlines defended by nourishment/hard engineering and coastal inlets with single spits or multiple mobile sandbanks with navigational hazards, requiring dredging. It is vital that determination of appropriate CSIs receives input from two groups, from the managers and policy makers, and from the scientists. The former are able to assess what information will be of most value to the manager, while the latter can determine what might be possible based on existing or potential technology and scientific understanding.
The CoastView project will lead to a clearly defined set of CSIs. The project will develop coastal video systems and associated tools that are capable of collecting high quality data for the evaluation of CSIs. New theories, algorithms and software will be developed for the estimation of CSIs from video data. These routines will be fully validated by comparison to field data and appropriate error bounds for video derived CSIs will be produced. Developments within the CoastView project will form the basis for future monitoring and management of coastal systems.
