WEEK 13: Turkey’s Risk for Coastal Erosion

Temporal analysis of coastal erosion in ...


Coastal erosion is a concern all around the world, and Turkey is no exception. With its extensive coastline along the Black Sea, Aegean Sea, and Mediterranean Sea, Turkey faces significant risks.

The Causes of Coastal Erosion in Turkey

Turkey's coastal erosion primarily results from a combination of natural and human-induced factors. Natural causes include wave action, sea-level rise, and storm surges, which are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change. The Black Sea has a major play in this aspect. 
Human activities have also accelerated erosion. Construction of ports, urban development, and sand mining along the coasts disturb natural sediment transport processes.

Effects of Coastal Erosion

Coastal erosion has significant social, economic, and environmental consequences in Turkey. Tourist hotspots like Antalya and Bodrum, known for their beautiful beaches, are facing shrinking coastlines, which may harm the tourism industry. Furthermore, erosion endangers coastal ecosystems such as wetlands and dunes, which are critical for biodiversity.
The Black Sea region, home to small fishing communities, is at risk of land loss, which will have a direct impact on local livelihoods. Coastal erosion makes infrastructure, such as roads, ports, and buildings, more vulnerable to storm and flooding damage.

What’s Being Done About It?
Turkey has been working on several solutions to address coastal erosion. They’ve added sand to eroding beaches through beach nourishment projects, especially in tourist areas like Antalya, to protect both the coastline and the economy. Breakwaters and seawalls have been built in some regions to reduce wave impact while planting coastal vegetation helps stabilize dunes naturally. Turkey is also part of the Black Sea Action Plan, working with other countries to protect the environment and manage sediment flow better. Stricter regulations on coastal development, like limiting sand mining and construction near the shore, are also in place. On top of that, community awareness campaigns are helping people understand the problem and support conservation efforts. These steps are making a difference, but there’s still more to do for long-term solutions.






Sources
European Environment Agency. (2020). Coastal erosion and adaptation in Europe. https://www.eea.europa.eu
Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV). (2022). Coastal management in Turkey: Current challenges and future solutions.
IPCC. (2021). Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. https://www.ipcc.ch
UNDP Turkey. (2023). Sustainable coastal zone management in Turkey. https://www.tr.undp.org








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