Assessment of coastal vulnerability to climate change hazards at the regional scale: the case study of the North Adriatic Sea

摘要: Abstract. Sea level rise, changes in storms and wave climate as a consequence of global change are expected to increase the size magnitude flooded eroding coastal areas, thus having profound impacts on communities ecosystems. River deltas, beaches, estuaries lagoons considered particularly vulnerable adverse effects change, which should be studied at regional/local scale. This paper presents regional vulnerability assessment (RVA) methodology developed analyse site-specific spatial information envisaged assist operational management conservation. The main aim RVA is identify key receptors (i.e. natural human ecosystems) region localize hot spot could homogeneous geographic sites for definition adaptation strategies. application based heterogeneous subset bio-geophysical socio-economic indicators (e.g. topography, geomorphology, presence distribution vegetation cover, location artificial protection), measure potential harm from range climate-related sea rise inundation, storm surge flooding, erosion). Based system numerical weights scores, provides relative maps that allow prioritize more areas targets different examined support identification suitable settlements, infrastructures economic activities, providing basis zoning land use planning. implementation, performance results area North Adriatic (Italy) fully described paper.