The indentation index, which is the ratio between the real length of a coast and its Euclidean length, is a parameter applied in order to characterize rock coasts and to study their evolution. Rather than subjectively selecting two or more sectors of a rock coast where to evaluate, compare and contrast it, in this paper it is suggested to consider a same coastline and to split it into several adjacent tracts of equal Euclidean length within which the indentation index can be calculated. By digitizing the coastline in a GIS environment, it becomes possible to test several Euclidean length values on a same coastline, each time obtaining a different spatial variability of the indentation index. The best length values that maximize the spatial variability of the indentation index are those that determine an indentation index pattern characterized by a high variance and a low spatial autocorrelation. The spatial distribution of indentation index can eventually be commented at the light of the known littoral forces acting on the studied coast. When more than one Euclidean length value is found to maximize the variability of indentation index within the same coast, it is likely that there are one or more littoral forces acting or interacting differently at different scales.
A new approach for the study of the coast indentation index
FEDERICI, PAOLO ROBERTO;PAPPALARDO, MARTA;
2008-01-01
Abstract
The indentation index, which is the ratio between the real length of a coast and its Euclidean length, is a parameter applied in order to characterize rock coasts and to study their evolution. Rather than subjectively selecting two or more sectors of a rock coast where to evaluate, compare and contrast it, in this paper it is suggested to consider a same coastline and to split it into several adjacent tracts of equal Euclidean length within which the indentation index can be calculated. By digitizing the coastline in a GIS environment, it becomes possible to test several Euclidean length values on a same coastline, each time obtaining a different spatial variability of the indentation index. The best length values that maximize the spatial variability of the indentation index are those that determine an indentation index pattern characterized by a high variance and a low spatial autocorrelation. The spatial distribution of indentation index can eventually be commented at the light of the known littoral forces acting on the studied coast. When more than one Euclidean length value is found to maximize the variability of indentation index within the same coast, it is likely that there are one or more littoral forces acting or interacting differently at different scales.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
