Coastal dynamics analyzer (CDA): A QGIS plugin for transect based analysis of coastal erosion

Abstract

Coastal erosion is a critical issue affecting shorelines worldwide, imposing effective monitoring and management strategies. We present the Coastal Dynamics Analyzer (CDA), a newly developed QGIS plugin designed for transect-based analysis of shoreline changes, enhancing both the accuracy and efficiency of coastal erosion studies. CDA seamlessly integrates into QGIS, providing an open-source, user-friendly tool that automates the calculation of key shoreline change metrics, including End Point Rate (EPR), Net Shoreline Movement (NSM), Shoreline Change Envelope (SCE), and Linear Regression Rate (LRR). This paper presents the motivation behind the CDA's development, its importance in addressing the limitations of existing tools such as the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) and Analyzing Moving Boundaries Using R (AMBUR) and details its implementation. The plugin's functionalities are demonstrated through a case study in the Mediterranean Sea, showing its ability to generate accurate and reliable data for coastal management. By providing high quality results with considerable speed, CDA is promising to become a resource for researchers, coastal engineers, and policy makers involved in coastal erosion management and climate change adaptation planning.