International assessments of the vulnerability.pdf - Climate ...

International assessments of the vulnerability of the coastal zone to climate change, including an Australian perspective
• Indices of vulnerability, developed overseas, based on a few metrics (such as
relief, rock types, landform, relative sea-level change, shoreline displacement,
tidal range and maximum wave height), have not been applied in Australia. To
develop an index for use in Australia, research is needed to identify the best set of
parameters and to test their validity in an Australian context. This approach would
be most appropriate at regional scale enabling prioritisation of those regions most
at risk around Australia, but would need customising for Australian conditions
(natural and socio-economic) and data availability.
• Most overseas modelling approaches have been based on the Bruun rule, which
estimates sandy shoreline retreat in response to sea-level rise. The method has
been criticised, overseas and within Australia, and Australian researchers are
contributing to the international methodological debates concerning modifications
to the techniques available. Both DIVA and CoastClim (a coastal module of
Simulator of Climate Change Risks and Adaptation Initiatives [SimClim]) offer
modelling capability that requires further testing, modification and validation in
the Australian context. There appears to be considerable potential for integration
of these open coast modelling techniques with developments that are already
occurring, especially in south-eastern Australia.
• Climate change impacts on wetlands and estuaries are less clear. International
approaches are primarily appropriate at global scales and cannot easily be adapted
to address issues at the regional or local scale that is more relevant for Australian
wetlands or estuaries.
• Few of the techniques available from global studies, since the CM, have been
tested in the Australian context. Most would require further development and
customisation, probably with new sets of data, but their adaptation (especially
DIVA and CoastClim) should be considered in conjunction with further focus on
methods developed within Australia.
Australian Greenhouse Office, Department of the Environment and Heritage, 2006
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