Indicative Mapping of Tasmanian Coastal Vulnerability to Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise: Explanatory Report (Second Edition)

Abstract

Considerable geological and geomorphic evidence, direct observations of subsiding coasts, theoretical considerations and experimental investigations demonstrate that rising sea levels result in significant physical changes to shorelines, as they adapt to the changing sea-level conditions. Physical changes resulting from sea-level rise, especially on soft sandy shores and in low-lying coastal areas, are likely to be sufficiently significant in some areas, over future decades, as to pose risks for buildings, roads and other infrastructure in vulnerable coastal locations, as well as causing changes to coastal landform process systems and biological communities. This report describes and explains a digital map set that was developed during 2004 - 2006 to provide an indicative (or first pass) identification of Tasmanian coastal areas potentially vulnerable to increased storm surge flooding, shoreline erosion, rock falls, and slumping as a result of global climate change and sea-level rise. The mapping additionally identifies some Tasmanian shores having minimal vulnerability to these hazards.