Vulnerability of coastal beach tourism to flooding: a case study of Galicia, Spain
DATE:
2017-11-16
UNIVERSAL IDENTIFIER: http://hdl.handle.net/11093/2041
EDITED VERSION: http://www.mdpi.com/2076-3298/4/4/83
UNESCO SUBJECT: 5312.90 Economía Sectorial: Turismo ; 2508.10 Precipitación ; 2509 Meteorología ; 2502.9 Cambio climático
DOCUMENT TYPE: article
ABSTRACT
Flooding, as a result of heavy rains and/or storm surges, is a persistent problem in coastal areas. Under scenarios of climate change, there are expectations that flooding events will become more frequent in some areas and potentially more intense. This poses a potential threat to coastal communities relying heavily on coastal resources, such as beaches for tourism. This paper develops a methodology for the assessment of coastal flooding risks, based on an index that compares 16 hydrogeomorphological, biophysical, human exposure and resilience indicators, with a specific focus on tourism. The paper then uses an existing flood vulnerability assessment of 724 beaches in Galicia (Spain) to test the index for tourism. Results indicate that approximately 10% of tourism beaches are at high risk to flooding, including 10 urban and 36 rural beaches. Implications for adaptation and coastal management are discussed