Geomorphic Regionalization of Coastal Zone Using Geospatial Technology

Authors : Manoranjan MİSHRA

Pages : 11-23

Doi:10.30897/ijegeo.304479

View : 14 | Download : 12

Publication Date : 2016-08-02

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The world coastal environment is made of diversified landforms and are also potentially vulnerable to climate variability, delta sinking, extreme events and anthropogenic interferences. Sustainable management of coastal resources and transforming quality ecosystem services to future generation are the goals of Integrated Coastal Zone Management insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ICZM);. Geographical homogenous unit are the basic implementation locus and back bone of these kinds of integrated management strategy and activities. However, coastal zone management projects in developing world using use arbitrary land-ward and sea-ward boundaries from physical reference as unit of management. The oversimplified fixed distance approaches are not able to map the spatial and temporal changes in coastal systems. The spatio-temporal variations of coastal systems are configured in geomorphic landforms and further that work on interaction between natural forces and anthropogenic inputs. The present research work is an attempt to present a simplified method of regionalization geomorphic landforms using geospatial platforms for delineating Orissa coast into smaller homogenous geographic unit as reference point for future management. Geomorphic landforms are reconstructed using Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ETM+); imagery, Survey of India topomaps, field survey and Digital Elevation Model data at geographic information system insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(GIS); plat form. Seventy geomorphic features covering an area of 5033.64 km2 were identified and further, regionalized into five homogenous geographic units. The need of time is to recognize unsustainable coastal systems in these homogenous geographic units by fine tuning development parameters and also same time allowing coastal systems to adapt naturally to any kind of variability. Although, the methodology applied to Orissa for delineation homogenous geographic area but it can be replicated to any coast in world.
Keywords : Coastal landforms, Geospatial technique, Geomorphic regionalization, Homogenous geographic units, Integrated coastal zone management