Sea Level Rise in Europe: Impacts and consequences
Roderik S. W. van de Wal, Angélique Melet, Debora Bellafiore, Michalis Vousdoukas, Paula Camus, Christian Ferrarin, Gualbert Oude Essink, Ivan D. Haigh, Piero Lionello, Arjen Luijendijk, Alexandra Toimil, Joanna Staneva
Abstract
Abstract. Sea level rise has major impacts in Europe which vary from place to place and in time depending on the source of the impacts. Flooding, erosion and saltwater intrusion lead via different pathways to various consequences in coastal regions across Europe. Flooding leads via overflow, overtopping and breaching to damage to assets, environment and people. Erosion leads via cliff failure along a different pathway also to damage and saltwater intrusion affects ecosystems and surface waters and salinizes existing fresh water resources diminishing fresh water availability causing salt damage to crops and health issues to people. This paper provides an overview of the various impacts in Europe.