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Quantifying coastal inundation vulnerability of Turkey to sea-level rise

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Abstract

The vulnerability of low-lying coastal areas in Turkey to inundation was quantified based on the sea-level rise scenarios of 1, 2, and 3 m by 2205. Through digital elevation model (DEM) acquired by the shuttle radar topography mission (SRTM), the extent and distribution of the high to low-risk coastal plains were identified. The spatio-temporal analysis revealed the inundated coastal areas of 545, 1,286, and 2,125 km2 at average rates of 5, 10, and 15 mm yr−1 for 200 years, respectively. This is equivalent to minimum and maximum land losses by 2205 of 0.1–0.3% of the total area and of 1.3–5.2% of the coastal areas with elevations of less than 100 m in the country, respectively. This study provides an initial assessment of vulnerability to sea-level rise to help decision-makers, and other concerned stakeholders to develop appropriate public policies and land-use planning measures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geodesy and Photogrammetry Engineering, Nigde University, Nigde, Turkey

    Ali C. Demirkesen

  2. Department of Landscape Architecture, Mustafa Kemal University, Antakya-Hatay, Turkey

    Fatih Evrendilek

  3. Department of Landscape Architecture, Cukurova University, Balcali-Adana, Turkey

    Suha Berberoglu

Authors
  1. Ali C. Demirkesen
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  2. Fatih Evrendilek
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  3. Suha Berberoglu
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Correspondence to Fatih Evrendilek.

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Demirkesen, A.C., Evrendilek, F. & Berberoglu, S. Quantifying coastal inundation vulnerability of Turkey to sea-level rise. Environ Monit Assess 138, 101–106 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-007-9746-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-007-9746-7

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