High Arctic coasts at risk—the case study of coastal zone development and degradation associated with climate changes and multidirectional human impacts in Longyearbyen (Adventfjorden, Svalbard)

Abstract

Longyearbyen is the major administrative, touristic, and scientific centre in Svalbard and so‐called ‘European Gateway’ to the Arctic. The number of inhabitants and tourists as well as community infrastructure has significantly expanded over the recent decade, and present‐day community faces development thresholds associated with climate warming and disturbance of cold region landscape. Coastal zone is a key interface where severe environmental changes impact directly on Longyearbyen infrastructure. We applied the combination of environmental assessment methods and geographic information system analyses together with field mapping to investigate the scale of degradation of coastal zone in Longyearbyen and examine the impact of coastal hazards on major elements of community infrastructure. Rate of observed coastal changes, the diversity of natural and man‐made hazards mapped along the coast, and observed damages in infrastructure suggest a need for coastal change monitoring and coastal protection in Longyearbyen. The part of the Longyearbyen coast that should be monitored and protected are sections spreading between new port and surroundings of Longyearelva delta significantly modified by coastal erosion and landsliding. In order to improve coastal zone protection and safety of town development, we present arguments supporting the incorporation of Longyearbyen into recently established Circum‐Arctic Coastal Communities Knowledge Network.

Coastal Erosion Affecting Cultural Heritage in Svalbard. A Case Study in Hiorthhamn (Adventfjorden)—An Abandoned Mining Settlement

“…The highest erosion rate in the Arctic was registered on Alaskan coast (Drew Point) with a value of −8.4 m/year, while the lowest erosion rate was reported in Svalbard. Other reported erosion rates in Svalbard range from −0.5 to −4.5 m/year for Longyearbyen [21], −0.26 m/year for Isbjørnhamna [48], −0.34 m/year and −0.47 m/year for ice-poor cliffs and ice-rich cliffs, respectively [32]. With a value of EPR of −0.21 m/year, our study area can be framed in around the average erosion rate previously reported in Svalbard.…”

“…This position gives a complex climatic situation where different oceanic currents influence both long-term climate and short-term meteorology of the islands. The focus of this study is the shoreline of Hiorthhamn-on the northeastern shore of Adventfjorden (Figure 2b), approximately 3 km north of Longyearbyen (Figure 2c), which is the major administrative, tourist and scientific centre in Svalbard, also named "European Gateway" to the Arctic [21]. The Hiorthhamn fjord side is step-shaped with south-west-oriented slopes running down from the top of the Hiorthfjellet mountain to the Advent fjord shore.…”

“…One of the most exposed Arctic areas is Svalbard, which is experiencing amplified climate change when compared to the global average [18,19]. Svalbard's coastal area is under high pressure from natural [20] and in some area's anthropogenic changes [21,22].Studying the physical dynamics of coastal areas is a challenging task with a huge potential to be applied in future coastal management plans and sustainable development of coastal areas. With the technological development, tracking coastal erosion and the associated coastal hazards became easier; new tools are being developed and implemented, along with their integration in GIS (Geographic Information System).…”

“…One of the most exposed Arctic areas is Svalbard, which is experiencing amplified climate change when compared to the global average [18,19]. Svalbard's coastal area is under high pressure from natural [20] and in some area's anthropogenic changes [21,22].…”

Evaluation of estuary shoreline shift in response to climate change: A study from the central west coast of India

“…zones (Crowell, Douglas, & Leatherman, 1997;Jaskólski, Pawłowski, & Strzelecki, 2018;Mukhopadhyay et al, 2012;Scavia et al, 2002). The important techniques used to study the periodic changes in shorelines include physical surveys; satellite imageries; aerial photography (Duru, 2017;Ford, 2013); and numerical modeling methods (Noujas, Thomas, & Badarees, 2016;Pereira et al, 2013).…”