Coastal areas are dynamic and complex systems exposed to waves, high tides, and storm surges. Often, these areas are densely populated and have essential socio-economic values for the region and ...country. Any changes or disruptions can cause a tremendous social burden. Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) is one of the most used and straightforward methods to assess coastal vulnerability. This paper aims to analyse and summarise the current state of published coastal vulnerability indices. The analysis seeks to develop a regional vulnerability index for the eastern Adriatic coast, specifically for the Istrian peninsula. A total of 18 published papers were reviewed. A detailed survey was performed on three groups of variables that represent (a) the physical features of the coast, (b) the amount of influence of wave energy on the coast, and (c) exposed socio-economic factors. While choosing Physical and ecological variables is relatively straightforward, choosing Socio-economic variables is particularly challenging. The number of variables differs significantly from one author to another. As a result of the huge variety of global coastal characteristics and different research approaches, there is no universal CVI. Therefore, analysed indices are not suited for the calculation of the vulnerability of the Istrian coast without modification. A 5 × 5 m cell dimension was proposed as the most suitable for analysing the physical vulnerability of the Croatian coast of Istria.
The Southern Adriatic is recognized as one of the most seismically active regions of the Central Mediterranean. It hosted the strongest historically known and instrumentally recorded earthquakes in ...Croatia and Montenegro. We conducted a detailed study of algal rims and tidal notches along the Dubrovnik–Konavle coastal area, aimed to contribute in reconstruction of relative sea level (RSL) change, palaeoearthquakes and neotectonics during the last 4500 years. The RSL reconstruction based on high-resolution geochronology showed that the spatial variability of RSL change is largely controlled by local tectonics, leading generally to an alternation of periods of RSL rise and rapid falls caused by coseismic uplift events. During the interseismic periods RSL rose at rates from 1.03 to 0.7 mm/yr before AD, followed by a slowdown to ~0.43 mm/yr, and reaching ~1.3 mm/yr after 1850s. The only exception relates to a period of slow RSL drop probably related to the 3.2 ka cold event. Rapid RSL falls caused by coseismic uplift indicate the occurrence of several large-scale events during the 4th–6th centuries AD, the 800–1360 cal AD period, and in 1395, with hints of earlier events between 1395 cal BC and 565 cal AD. These instances correspond to either unknown or insufficiently documented earthquakes. Conversely, the earthquakes in 1520 and 1667 have been clearly identified. The most compelling evidence of coseismic uplift is associated with the 1667 Dubrovnik earthquake, with an estimated uplift of 40–60 ± 15 cm documented along 40 km of coastline. Analyses of multiple sites with the same high-resolution marker show that Holocene tectonic deformations vary along different fault segments with minimum uplift rates ranging from ~0.3 to ~0.9 mm/yr over ~1.5 ka. The main seismogenic source responsible for coseismic uplifts is attributed to the Dalmatian unit basal thrust and its NE-dipping splays at the Adria-Dinarides boundary.
•We provide the relative sea-level reconstruction based on 66 new sea-level index points.•We show significant variability of relative sea-level change due to local tectonic contributions.•New evidence of spatial effects of 1667 AD Dubrovnik earthquake is presented.•The Dalmatian unit basal thrust is a composite seismogenic source responsible for coastal uplifts.•Our data show relative sea-level drop related to 3.2 ka cold event well marked in the Mediterranean.
In order to determine the presence and spatial distribution of gully erosion on the Pag Island (Croatia), a gully erosion susceptibility model was developed using GIS-based multicriteria decision ...analysis (GIS-MCDA). To simplify the GIS-MCDA modelling process, we developed automated multicriteria GIS analysis - GAMA method that is applicable to other karstic areas. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to assign specific weight coefficients to each criterion in regard to its importance for gully erosion occurrence. In total four different gully erosion susceptibility models were created, based on different criteria weight coefficients. The final GIS-MCDA model (3) was chosen based on the quality validation. Validation of GIS-MCDA model quality was done using ROC curves that were made based on two reference gully datasets. Validation confirmed the consistency of created models and proved that existing gullies are within high gully erosion susceptibility areas. The entire Pag Island was divided, through generated gully erosion susceptibility model into areas of: very low susceptibility, low susceptibility, medium susceptibility, high susceptibility and very high susceptibility. High and very high gully erosion susceptibility areas cover around 30% of the total area of Pag Island. Developed GAMA method allows easier and faster application of GIS-MCDA methodology in gully erosion susceptibility modelling, as well as in various other research areas.
•Gully erosion susceptibility model is created through GIS-MCDA based on 10 predisposing and one Boolean criteria.•ROC curve quality validation confirmed the consistency of created gully erosion susceptibility model (AUC = 0,8965).•Final model has shown that high and very high gully erosion susceptibility areas cover around 30% of Pag island.•GAMA method makes GIS-MCDA process more direct, practical and applicable in various susceptibility modelling purposes.
The doline density and their spatial distribution analysis is one of the methods used for karst relief morphostructural analysis. We present the results of morphometric features, doline spatial ...distribution and their relationship on Miljevci karst plateau based on digital elevation model (DEM). Altogether, 286 dolines were mapped in the study area. The doline density analysis has been applied. The results show that the doline spatial distribution is clustered. Two larger areas with densities of 30 and 34 dolines/km2 are determined. Their distribution along the river canyons could indicate the existence of a palaeodrainage network. The strongest link between the doline density and topography is with inclination and vertical relief dissection, whereas the number of dolines decreases with an increase of slope inclination and relative relief. Such distribution confirms the suitability of karstic plateaus without active drainage for doline formation.
The aim of the author has been to analyze the natural and socio-geographical components of Murter Island in order to get familiar with their characteristics which would be the basis for evaluating ...the current state of the environment and development possibilities of the Island. An integrated research model DPSIR (driving forces – pressures – states – impacts – responses) designed by the European Environmental Agency (EEA, 1999) was used to analyze the environment. The model consists of driving forces (D), pressures (P), states (S), impacts (I) and responses (R) on the current state of the environment, and enables the analysis and synthesis of causal relationships between human activities and environment, as well as impacts and responses to the environmental changes. Population and tourism have been selected as the main driving forces, but also as the major pressures on the environment. The pressure is reflects in the concentration of the population in the coastal zone, the number of tourists, the amount of waste, pollution of the sea and beaches during the tourist season in overloading the electrical networks et al.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
•Short-term gully evolution within complex karst areas was highly affected by lithology.•Intensity of detected geomorphic processes was restrained by limestone bedrock.•Highest diversity and rate of ...soil erosion processes was observed in Calcocambisol deposits.•Short-term gully evolution was controlled by mass wasting and selective erosion.•Lithological mapping and UAV photogrammetry allowed accurate analysis of gully evolution.
Gullies exhibit rapid short-term changes, with lithology serving as a primary predisposing factor influencing their gradual evolution. However, the relationship between lithology and gully evolution in complex karstic environments remains poorly investigated. This manuscript focuses on assessing the impact of lithology on short-term gully evolution, with special emphasis on detection of one-year gully erosion induced spatio-temporal changes (STCs).
The study was carried out within the lithologically versatile karst area of gully Santiš, located within the Pag Island, Croatia. Repeat UAV photogrammetry was used for aerial surveys carried out on December 17th, 2019 and December 17th, 2020. Detection of gully erosion induced STCs was based on creation of a very-high resolution (VHR) digital elevation model of difference (DoD) with 1 cm spatial resolution. Additionally, a detailed lithological map (1:50) was created through comprehensive field lithological mapping.
Nine different lithological units were mapped, with DoD enabling the detection of sub-decimeter STCs. Short-term gully evolution (2019–2020) resulted in an eroded material rate of 13.46 m3·yr−1. The highest erosion rates (6.80 m3·yr−1) were detected within Carbonate sandstones and sands, where gradual selective erosion led to the collapse of a large part of the sandstones. Significant erosion rates (4.84 m3·yr−1) were also detected within Calcocambisol soils, primarily due to the mass wasting and gradual uphill retreat of the gully headcut. The other seven mapped lithological units (e.g., Limestone, Quaternary breccia and Talus) accounted for only 13 % of all detected erosion, with an average erosion rate of 0.22 m3·yr−1. Highest relative erosion rates were observed within Carbonate sandstone and sands (6.38 × 10−3 m3 yr−1 m−2), Calcocambisols (2.01 × 10−3 m3 yr−1 m−2) and Talus (7.29 × 10−4 m3 yr−1 m−2).
This study confirms that short-term gully evolution within karstic relief is highly influenced by lithology, directly controlling the intensity and distribution of erosion processes. The combined use of repeat UAV photogrammetry derived VHR DoD and detailed field lithological mapping demonstrates great potential for interpreting short-term gully evolution. Therefore, this methodology can be applied to monitor short-term gully evolution in other lithologically complex areas.
Gully erosion is one of the most prominent natural denudation processes of the Mediterranean. It causes significant soil degradation and sediment yield. Most traditional field methods for measurement ...of erosion-induced spatio-temporal changes are time and labor consuming, while their accuracy and precision are highly influenced by various factors. The main research question of this study was how the measurement approach of traditional field sampling methods can be automated and upgraded, while satisfying the required measurement accuracy. The VERTICAL method was developed as a fully automated raster-based method for detection and quantification of vertical spatio-temporal changes within a large number of gully cross-sections (GCs). The developed method was tested on the example of gully Santiš, located at Pag Island, Croatia. Repeat unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry was used, as a cost-effective and practical method for the creation of very-high-resolution (VHR) digital surface models (DSMs) of the chosen gully site. A repeat aerophotogrammetric system (RAPS) was successfully assembled and integrated into one functional operating system. RAPS was successfully applied for derivation of interval (the two-year research period) DSMs (1.9 cm/pix) of gully Santiš with the accuracy of ±5 cm. VERTICAL generated and measured 2379 GCs, along the 110 m long thalweg of gully Santiš, within which 749 052 height points were sampled in total. VERTICAL proved to be a fast and reliable method for automated detection and calculation of spatio-temporal changes in a large number of GCs, which solved some significant shortcomings of traditional field methods. The versatility and adaptability of VERTICAL allow its application for other, similar scientific purposes, where multitemporal accurate measurement of spatio-temporal changes in GCs is required (e.g., river material dynamics, ice mass dynamics, tufa sedimentation and erosion).
We present the first stable isotope (δ13C and δ18O) speleothem record from continental Croatia retrieved from two coeval stalagmites from Nova Grgosova Cave. U-Th dates constrain the stalagmite ...growth history from 10 ka to the present, revealing coeval growth between 7.8 and 5.6 ka. We interpret δ18O as an autumn/winter hydrological proxy related to changes of vapor source, precipitation amount, and/or seasonal rainfall distribution, while δ13C predominantly responds to spring/summer vegetation status and soil microbial activity. We identify several centennial to millennial-scale hydroclimate oscillations during this period that result from multiple forcing factors. Along with amount and source effect, it appears that some centennial variations were governed also by seasonal moisture balance. From 9.2 to 8.8 ka BP, the local environmental setting was characterized by enhanced vegetation activity, while during the 8.2 ka event the main feature was a change in precipitation seasonality. The most prominent change, identified in both δ13C records, is a sudden decline of vegetation and soil biological activity around 7.4 ka, indicating a precipitation decrease at a time of maximum plant growth in spring and summer and likely also reduced precipitation in autumn and winter. Although small in magnitude in these speleothems, a peak in δ18O and δ13C values at 4.3–4.1 ka suggests that both summer and winter conditions were substantially drier during the 4.2 ka event, in accordance with increased Mediterranean aridity and consistent with other global climate changes reported at this time. Compared to the present North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) influence, we assume that millennial Holocene NAO-like variations were persistent through the Holocene via their effect on modifying local/regional air temperature, vapor origin, and inter- and intrannual precipitation distribution. Anthropogenic deforestation, which was the first major human impact on the environment during the Neolithic agricultural revolution, is excluded as a leading factor in δ13C variability since the first sedentary settlements were established further to the east in more arable locations along river valleys. However, the impact of intensive mining around the cave site during the last millennium is evident, with substantial deforestation driving an increase in δ13C.
Quaternary palaeo-environmental changes that have taken place in Croatia are likely to be recorded in speleothems – secondary carbonate deposits precipitated in caves. Confident interpretation of ...well dated speleothem proxy records relies on modern monitoring programs, which we provided in three regionally different caves. Parallel monitoring of the surface and cave air temperature and relative humidity, precipitation and cave drip intensity, as well as stable isotope modification of meteoric and drip water was carried out in order to estimate the most reliable stalagmites for the interpretation of Quaternary landscape history. In all three caves, Nova Grgosova (239 m a.s.l.; Tcave = 11.2 °C) in central Croatia, Lokvarka (780 m a.s.l.; Tcave = 7.5 °C) in the mountainous part of Croatia, and Modrič (32 m a.s.l.; Tcave = 16.6 °C) in coastal Croatia, we selected the parts of the caves where the ambient cave conditions appeared to be appropriate for equilibrium deposition of calcite in terms of constant air temperature (seasonal amplitudes of 0.73, 0.38 and 0.45 °C, respectively) and relative humidity (100%). Both Atlantic and Mediterranean moisture influences were detected in all three caves, but of different intensities. Cave hydrological settings governed by karst aquifer properties were resolved by the comparison of the precipitation intensities and drip site responses to the rain events, and generally, seasonal rainwater isotopic signal was almost completely attenuated, except for one drip site. Such homogenized drip water and stable cave environmental settings give confidence for calcite deposition under equilibrium conditions, especially for Modrič and Nova Grgosova caves where speleothems' inner structures also look promising for potentially quality dating results and stable isotopic profiles. The fracture-flow drip regime of selected drip sites in Lokvarka Cave, and uncompleted homogenization of the water in the epikarst might point to speleothem samples that are unsuitable for resolving multi-annual Quaternary climate changes. This view is supported by the high porosity internal structure of some Lokvarka speleothems, so further monitoring, sampling and the thorough speleothem examination is therefore necessary for adequate interpretations of palaeo-environmental changes.
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