Coastal features analysis using GIS tools-stretch Esmoriz-Furadouro.

The aim of this study is to identify morphological features and hydrodynamic patterns (e.g. coastal forms, wave breaking zones, rip current patterns, submerged bars), based on aerial photograph datasets. Understanding past patterns may help to increase the ability to predict future ones. To achieve the proposed objectives, a methodology to analyse aerial photograph datasets was developed. The analysis consists of visual identification of coastal features and patterns in a GIS environment. A GIS database was created to store the existing data and the result of the analysis. Several coastal features and patterns were identified, measured and correlated to the wave climate and other parameters. This correlation indicates that the presence and the dimensions of coastal features and patterns are closely related with the wave conditions and tide level, although the latter has less significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]