Methodology of the multiscale assessment of geomorphological safety of seacoasts, on the example of the south-eastern Baltic coast

Abstract

The article presents a methodological approach to assessing the geomorphological safety of sea coasts based on the close interdependence between geomorphological conditions and active coastal recreational activities. One of the key stages of the proposed assessment is recreational-geomorphological zoning, which results in separation of regions, districts and local areas in relation to relief homogeneity and recreational situation. The suggested approach is based on the quantitative indicators of the environment — conditions of relief formation and the geomorphological properties of the territory. Group of criteria for the situation of relief formation includes lithological, hydrometeorological, human and social factors. Among the group of geomorphological criteria are: morphometric characteristics of the coast, the dynamics of the coast and the activity of slope processes. Resultant geomorphological safety was classified into three classes: the most suitable areas for recreation; territories subject to further refinement; and inconvenience territories that cannot be used at all. The results of the geomorphological safety assessment are designed to increase the effectiveness of recreational environmental planning. The suggested principles of geomorphological assessment can be used not only for the Baltic region, but almost for any coastal region, which may require some correction of criteria.