Spatial diversity and time variability of erosion and accumulation processes on the unconsolidated cliffs of the Wolin Island (Southern Baltic - Pomeranian Bay)

During the period of climate change affecting the increase in the frequency of extreme events, the problems of the functioning of the sea coasts become very important. The process of raising the World Ocean level directly threatens coastal areas which are inhabited by more than half of population.This situation is also observed on the Polish coast. The very intense and often uncontrolled tourist and economic development of this region requires the introduction of protection systems aimed at limiting the adverse changes caused by extreme processes. Anthropogenic coastal transformations commonly contribute to the modification of natural morphogenetic processes. As a result, the development of the coastal zone goes in an unknown direction.

The current problems related to the functioning of cliff coasts prompted the authors to conduct research on the impact of storm surges on the transformation of the morphology of the unconsolidated cliffs of Wolin Island. The research consisted of annual measurements of cliff morphology using terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) in the period 2013-2019. The obtained measurement series allowed to demonstrate spatial diversity and time variability of erosion and accumulation processes in various hydrometeorological conditions. Differential analyzes allowed to quantify of the sediment budget on different sections of the cliffs. Based on the proposed denudation indicators, spatial and temporal differentiation of cliff dynamics and efficiency was presented.