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===The implications of the expected sea level rise on the low lying areas of continental Greece in the next century.===
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=The implications of the expected sea level rise on the low lying areas of continental Greece in the next century=
  
A natural hazard that is expected to influence on a global scale the earth in the near future, is the anticipated rapid sea level rise by the to continental and glacier ice melt and expansion of the oceanic water masses triggered by a rise in air temperature due to the Greenhouse effect.  Based on world-wide climatic data of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the use of mathematical models, it is calculated that by the year 2050, the temperature will rise by 1C and sea level will be 15 cm higher while by the year 2100 the temperature will be 2C higher than today and sea level will have risen by about 34 cm. Thus, the rate of sea level rise will be 4,2 mm/year in 2100.  In the case of deltaic deposits, an additional land subsidence due to sediment compaction should be taken into account.
 
  
Given the extensive stretches of low lying coastal areas that continental Greece possesses in the form of deltas ,lagoons,coastal alluvial plains and pocket beaches and their significant settlement, tourist and industrial development  in the last decades, the implications of the expected sea level rise are examined for the coasts of continental GreeceFurthermore, the specific economic and social implications of the land use pattern of the coastal zones such as farmland, saltworks, fisheries, tourist installations, airports, etc. are also studied.
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A natural hazard that is expected to influence on a global scale the earth’s coastal zones in the near future, is the increased rate of sea level rise caused by the continental and glacier ice melt and expansion of the oceanic water masses triggered by a rise in air temperature due to the Greenhouse effectBased on world-wide climatic data of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the use of mathematical models, it is estimated that by the year 2050, the temperature will rise by 1°C and sea level will be 15 cm higher, while by the year 2100 the temperature will be 2°C higher than today and sea level will have risen by about 34 cm. The rate of sea level rise will be 4,2 mm/year in 2100.  In the case of deltaic deposits, an additional land subsidence due to sediment compaction should be taken into account.
  
Human interference has influenced the natural evolution not only of the coastal environment but also the fluvial.  An almost certain sea level rise will enhance the risks involved in the well-being of the coasts and the rivers.  River channel diversions or cut-offs, irrigation, hydroelectric or regulation dams as well as coastal works such as jetties, wharfs, piers, landfills, highways, harbours and marinas constitute important elements that disrupt the coastal environment.
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Given the extensive stretches of low lying coastal areas of continental Greece in the form of deltas, lagoons, coastal alluvial plains and pocket beaches and their significant settlement, tourist and industrial development  in the last decades, the implications of the expected sea level rise are examined for the coasts of continental Greece.  Furthermore, the specific economic and social implications of the land use pattern of the coastal zones such as farmland, salt pans, fisheries, tourist installations, airports, etc. are also studied.
  
====Coastal classification of Continental Greece====
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Human interference has influenced the natural evolution of both the coastal and the fluvial environments.  An almost certain sea level rise will enhance the risks threatening the resilience of coasts and rivers. River channel diversions or cut-offs, irrigation, hydroelectric or regulation dams as well as coastal works such as jetties, wharfs, piers, landfills, highways, harbours and marinas constitute important elements that disrupt the coastal environment.
  
The coastline of continental Greece presents not only a great length but also a complex configuration. It is possible to group them in deltaic plains, lagoons, coastal plains, pocket beaches and steep coasts
 
  
Coastal classification of Continental Greece. We measured the coastal lengths of the five aforementioned categories of continental Greece at scale 1:50000. The coastal lengths correspond to steep coasts (48,04 %), coastal plains (38,27%) and to a much lesser degree, deltaic plains (6,39 %), lagoons (3,73 %) and pocket beaches (3,57 %) (fig 1.).
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==Coastal classification of Continental Greece==
  
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The coastline of continental Greece has not only a great length but also a complex configuration. The distinct features of Greek coastal zones can be classified as deltaic plains, lagoons, coastal plains, pocket beaches and steep coasts.
  
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The length of the coastline for the five aforementioned categories of continental Greece has been estimated at scale 1:50000, see Fig. 1. The coastline corresponding to steep coasts represents 48,04 % of the total length, coastal plains 38,27%, deltaic plains 6,39 %, lagoons 3,73 % and pocket beaches 3,57 %.
  
[[Image:pavlopoulospic1.jpg|thumb|center|500px|Figure 1. .]]
 
  
The distribution of the five coastal types by geographical department.  Worthnoting is the great extent of low lying coasts (deltaic plains and lagoons) in Thrace (88 %).  On the contrary, the steep coasts comprise about 2/3 of the coasts of Thessaly.  The main region where deltaic plains have considerable extend are in Epirus (24,23%, Kalamas - Arakhthos and in Thrace (25,69 %, Evros).
 
  
[[Image:pavlopoulostable1.jpg|thumb|center|500px|Table 1.]]
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[[Image:pavlopoulospic1.jpg|thumb|center|500px|Figure 1. The distribution of the five coastal types for continental Greece.]]
  
[[Image:pavlopoulospic2.jpg|thumb|center|500px|Figure 2.]]
 
  
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[[Image:pavlopoulostable1.jpg|thumb|center|500px|Table 1. The coastline length of different coastal types for different coastal departments.]]
  
====Expected sea level rise in the next 100 years====
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[[Image:pavlopoulospic2.jpg|thumb|center|500px|Figure 2. The coastline length of different coastal types for different coastal departments. The great extent of low lying coasts (deltaic plains and lagoons) in Thrace (88 %) is worth noting. On the contrary, the steep coasts represent about 2/3 of the coasts of Thessaly. The main regions with considerable deltaic plains are Epirus (24,23%, Kalamas – Arakhthos) and Thrace (25,69 %, Evros).]]
  
Given the vulnerability of low lying coastal areas by an expected sea level rise in the next 100 years, four deltaic plains were studied, namely Sperkhios, Evinos, Arakhthos and Kalamas.
 
Using topographic maps at a scale 1:5000 and delineating the land below the 0.50 m contour line, the area that will be inundated by the sea by the year 2100 was calculated. In these 50 cm an anticipated sea level rise of 0.34 m by EPA (1995) is included together with more than 0.15 m of natural sediment compaction of the deltas (fig. 3).
 
  
[[Image:pavlopoulospic3.jpg|thumb|center|500px|Figure 3.]]
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==Expected sea level rise in the next 100 years==
  
Generalizing for the 15 most important deltaic plains of continental Greece (Kalamas, Louros, Arakhthos, Akheloos, Evinos, Mornos, Pinios of Peloponnesus, Alfios, Sperkhios, Pinios of Thessaly, Aliakmonas, Axios, Strymonas, Nestos and Evros) and applying the mean land expected to be covered by the sea (13,16%), we come to the conclusion that about  306,63 km2 of land will be lost by the year 2100.
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Given the vulnerability of low lying coastal areas to an expected sea level rise in the next 100 years, four deltaic plains were studied, namely Sperkhios, Evinos, Arakhthos and Kalamas. Using topographic maps at a scale 1:5000 and delineating the land below the 0.50 m contour line, the area that will be inundated by the sea by the year 2100 was calculated. In these 50 cm an anticipated sea level rise of 0.34 m by EPA (1995) is included together with more than 0.15 m of natural sediment compaction of the deltas (Fig. 3).
In the case of the coastal plains, it is estimated and hoped that negligible amounts of land will be lost to the sea mainly due to steeper slopes and narrower land. In northern and western Peloponnesus for example, the coastline retreat will be insignificant due to the high elevations and slopes of the dunes and alluvial cones and fans.
 
Costal wetlands will be covered by the rising sea level and an important natural resource of the environment of Greece will diminish dramatically cease to exist. The lagoons of Kotyhi, Messologi, Amvrakikos, and Porto Lagos that are important fishing grounds, will become shallow bays or gulfs.  The extensive saltworks of Messologi and other areas of Greece will have to move farther inland.
 
  
====References====
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[[Image:pavlopoulospic3.jpg|thumb|center|500px|Figure 3. Expected inundated areas by the year 2100 of the deltaic plains of Sperkhios (upper left), Evinos (upper right), Arakhthos (under left) and Kalamas (under right).]]
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Considering together the 15 most important deltaic plains of continental Greece (Kalamas, Louros, Arakhthos, Akheloos, Evinos, Mornos, Pinios of Peloponnesus, Alfios, Sperkhios, Pinios of Thessaly, Aliakmonas, Axios, Strymonas, Nestos and Evros) we find that about  306,63 km2 of land will be lost by the year 2100, i.e. 13,16%  of these plains are expected to be covered by the sea.
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In the case of the coastal plains, it is estimated that negligible amounts of land will be lost to the sea mainly due to steeper slopes and a narrower plain. In northern and western Peloponnesus, for instance, the coastline retreat will be insignificant due to the high elevations and slopes of the dunes and alluvial cones and fans.
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Coastal wetlands will be covered by the rising sea and this important natural resource of the environment of Greece will diminish greatly or even cease to exist. The lagoons of Kotyhi, Messologi, Amvrakikos, and Porto Lagos, which are important fishing grounds, will become shallow bays or gulfs.  The extensive salt pans of Messologi and other areas of Greece will have to move farther inland.
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==References==
  
 
Karybalis, E. 1996. Geomorphologic observations in the drainage basin of Evinos river, Ph.D. University of Athens (In Greek).
 
Karybalis, E. 1996. Geomorphologic observations in the drainage basin of Evinos river, Ph.D. University of Athens (In Greek).
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|AuthorFullName= Pavlopoulos, Kosmas
 
|AuthorFullName= Pavlopoulos, Kosmas
 
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[[Category: Evaluation and assesment in coastal management]]
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[[Category:Practice, projects and case studies in coastal management‏‎]]
[[Category: Coastal flooding management]]
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[[Category:Sea level rise]]
[[Category: Coastal and marine human activities]]
 
[[Category: Coastal defence]]
 
[[Category: Coastal and marine issues and impacts]]
 
[[Category: Climate change and global warming]]
 

Latest revision as of 11:47, 31 July 2020



The implications of the expected sea level rise on the low lying areas of continental Greece in the next century

A natural hazard that is expected to influence on a global scale the earth’s coastal zones in the near future, is the increased rate of sea level rise caused by the continental and glacier ice melt and expansion of the oceanic water masses triggered by a rise in air temperature due to the Greenhouse effect. Based on world-wide climatic data of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the use of mathematical models, it is estimated that by the year 2050, the temperature will rise by 1°C and sea level will be 15 cm higher, while by the year 2100 the temperature will be 2°C higher than today and sea level will have risen by about 34 cm. The rate of sea level rise will be 4,2 mm/year in 2100. In the case of deltaic deposits, an additional land subsidence due to sediment compaction should be taken into account.

Given the extensive stretches of low lying coastal areas of continental Greece in the form of deltas, lagoons, coastal alluvial plains and pocket beaches and their significant settlement, tourist and industrial development in the last decades, the implications of the expected sea level rise are examined for the coasts of continental Greece. Furthermore, the specific economic and social implications of the land use pattern of the coastal zones such as farmland, salt pans, fisheries, tourist installations, airports, etc. are also studied.

Human interference has influenced the natural evolution of both the coastal and the fluvial environments. An almost certain sea level rise will enhance the risks threatening the resilience of coasts and rivers. River channel diversions or cut-offs, irrigation, hydroelectric or regulation dams as well as coastal works such as jetties, wharfs, piers, landfills, highways, harbours and marinas constitute important elements that disrupt the coastal environment.


Coastal classification of Continental Greece

The coastline of continental Greece has not only a great length but also a complex configuration. The distinct features of Greek coastal zones can be classified as deltaic plains, lagoons, coastal plains, pocket beaches and steep coasts.

The length of the coastline for the five aforementioned categories of continental Greece has been estimated at scale 1:50000, see Fig. 1. The coastline corresponding to steep coasts represents 48,04 % of the total length, coastal plains 38,27%, deltaic plains 6,39 %, lagoons 3,73 % and pocket beaches 3,57 %.


Figure 1. The distribution of the five coastal types for continental Greece.


Table 1. The coastline length of different coastal types for different coastal departments.
Figure 2. The coastline length of different coastal types for different coastal departments. The great extent of low lying coasts (deltaic plains and lagoons) in Thrace (88 %) is worth noting. On the contrary, the steep coasts represent about 2/3 of the coasts of Thessaly. The main regions with considerable deltaic plains are Epirus (24,23%, Kalamas – Arakhthos) and Thrace (25,69 %, Evros).


Expected sea level rise in the next 100 years

Given the vulnerability of low lying coastal areas to an expected sea level rise in the next 100 years, four deltaic plains were studied, namely Sperkhios, Evinos, Arakhthos and Kalamas. Using topographic maps at a scale 1:5000 and delineating the land below the 0.50 m contour line, the area that will be inundated by the sea by the year 2100 was calculated. In these 50 cm an anticipated sea level rise of 0.34 m by EPA (1995) is included together with more than 0.15 m of natural sediment compaction of the deltas (Fig. 3).

Figure 3. Expected inundated areas by the year 2100 of the deltaic plains of Sperkhios (upper left), Evinos (upper right), Arakhthos (under left) and Kalamas (under right).

Considering together the 15 most important deltaic plains of continental Greece (Kalamas, Louros, Arakhthos, Akheloos, Evinos, Mornos, Pinios of Peloponnesus, Alfios, Sperkhios, Pinios of Thessaly, Aliakmonas, Axios, Strymonas, Nestos and Evros) we find that about 306,63 km2 of land will be lost by the year 2100, i.e. 13,16% of these plains are expected to be covered by the sea.

In the case of the coastal plains, it is estimated that negligible amounts of land will be lost to the sea mainly due to steeper slopes and a narrower plain. In northern and western Peloponnesus, for instance, the coastline retreat will be insignificant due to the high elevations and slopes of the dunes and alluvial cones and fans. Coastal wetlands will be covered by the rising sea and this important natural resource of the environment of Greece will diminish greatly or even cease to exist. The lagoons of Kotyhi, Messologi, Amvrakikos, and Porto Lagos, which are important fishing grounds, will become shallow bays or gulfs. The extensive salt pans of Messologi and other areas of Greece will have to move farther inland.


References

Karybalis, E. 1996. Geomorphologic observations in the drainage basin of Evinos river, Ph.D. University of Athens (In Greek).

Maroukian H, 1990. Implications of sea level rise for Greece, Report of the I.P.C.G., Miami Conference, vol.2, pp. 161-181.

Maroukian, H., K. Gaki-Papanastasssiou, K. Pavlopoulos & A. Zamani 1995. Comparative geomorphological observations in the Kalamas delta in western Greece and the Sperkhios delta in eastern Greece. Rapp.Comm.int. Mer. Medit., 34, 110 (Abstract).

Maroukian, H., K. Gaki-Papanastassiou, K. Pavlopoulos, & V. Sabot 2004. The assumed future sea level rise as a natural Hazard threatening the coastlines of continental Greece. AGPH, v. XXXX, pp. 69-82.

Moutzouris, K. & H. Maroukian 1988. Greece In: Artificial Structures and Shorelines. H. J. Walker ed. New York: Academic Publishers, pp. 207-215.

Titus G.J. & V.K. Narayanan 1995. The probability of sea level rise. U.S. E.P.A., Washignton D.C.

The main author of this article is Pavlopoulos, Kosmas
Please note that others may also have edited the contents of this article.

Citation: Pavlopoulos, Kosmas (2020): Greek case studies: The implications of the expected sea level rise on the low lying areas of continental Greece in the next century. Available from http://www.coastalwiki.org/wiki/Greek_case_studies:_The_implications_of_the_expected_sea_level_rise_on_the_low_lying_areas_of_continental_Greece_in_the_next_century [accessed on 28-03-2024]