A geospatial database of coastal characteristics for erosion assessment of Europe’s coastal floodplains

This paper describes the CoasTER geographic database designed as a first step in integrating existing information on erosion and other relevant characteristics for Europe’s coastal floodplains to support flood assessment and climate services. The CoasTER database updates and builds on earlier erosion research and data sources. It also includes a coastal geomorphological typology which incorporates human modification in the form of hard engineering and infrastructure.

While accretion is the dominant historical trend for these shorelines, approximately 27 % are currently classed as eroding over the last 40 years. The majority of floodplain shorelines are associated with either developed or agricultural areas and human structures are visible along almost 8,000 km of shoreline, restricting morphodynamic response to sea level rise. If the erosive trend continues for developed areas, over 2,500 km of shoreline will require further management to maintain current protection levels and nearly 1,000 km will require new management.