Coastal Restoration Trust of New Zealand

Coastal Dune Ecosystem Reference Database

Exploring the Usefulness of Beach Profile Datasets Conference Paper

Author
Gibberd, Bronwen; Smith, Keith; Benson, Andrew
Year
2003
Journal / Source
Proceedings of the 16th Australasian Coastal and Ocean Engineering Conference
Publisher / Organisation
Environment Waikato, Auckland Regional Council
Pages
1244-1251
ISBN / ISSN
0473098326
Keywords
Coastal zone management, Environmental risk assessment, Beach erosion--Monitoring, Coast changes--Computer simulation, Beaches--Management
Summary
Many local authorities conduct beach profile monitoring programmes (generally periodic topographic beach surveys) to develop an understanding of the physical dynamics of the coastal environment that they manage. In this study, profile datasets from the Coromandel Peninsula were analysed as part of a co-operative Environment Waikato and Auckland Regional Council project. The results indicate that intensive monitoring at some beaches on the eastern Coromandel Coast will provide information and knowledge that can be applied broadly elsewhere on this coast, given the apparent similarity in beach behaviour throughout the study area. This is encouraging for resource managers in a situation of limited data availability.