In a groundbreaking study led by Paweł Tysiąc from the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Gdańsk University of Technology, researchers have developed an innovative method to assess coastal cliff degradation using advanced technologies like UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and bathymetric LiDAR. This research, published in the journal Scientific Reports, sheds light on a pressing issue for coastal management, particularly in the wake of increasingly severe weather events.
Coastal degradation is a major concern, as it not only affects natural landscapes but also poses risks to infrastructure and communities along the shore. Tysiąc and his team have harnessed the power of machine learning and remote sensing data to tackle this challenge. They combined high-resolution orthophotos and LiDAR data captured in green and near-infrared wavelengths to pinpoint areas affected by storms and other extreme weather phenomena that can trigger mass movements of soil and rock.
One of the standout features of this study is the use of change detection analysis to quantify eroded areas. By applying a Random Forest classifier within Google Earth Engine (GEE), the researchers assessed the importance of various features in identifying degraded zones. “The classifier achieved an overall accuracy of approximately 90% across all datasets,” Tysiąc noted, highlighting the reliability of their approach. This impressive accuracy was validated with UAV datasets collected two years later, underscoring the method’s robustness.
For maritime sectors, the implications of this research are significant. With the ability to monitor coastal degradation effectively, companies involved in coastal construction, environmental consulting, and disaster recovery can leverage this technology to make informed decisions. The study suggests that using diverse sensors within a single training framework is not just feasible but also practical, opening avenues for integrating these methodologies into routine assessments.
Moreover, the findings indicate that while DEM products in green and near-infrared wavelengths are crucial, reflectance maps and orthophotos reveal that red and near-infrared wavelengths are particularly effective in detecting degradation. This nuanced understanding can help maritime professionals refine their monitoring strategies and enhance the resilience of coastal infrastructure.
As the maritime industry grapples with the challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters, tools like those developed by Tysiąc and his team offer a promising path forward. By embracing such innovative technologies, stakeholders can better protect coastal zones, ultimately safeguarding both human activities and natural ecosystems. The research serves as a timely reminder of the importance of leveraging technology to understand and mitigate the impacts of our changing environment, a theme that resonates deeply in today’s maritime discourse.
