Coastal flood management: Understanding inlet morphodynamics over annual and decadal timescales

Managed realignment is an important tool for coastal adaptation against the combined risks of erosion and flooding. Open coast schemes implemented over the last 10-20 years have demonstrated the benefits but also the limits to our understanding of how inlet schemes will respond to the intervention measures. The natural tidal inlet subjected to adaptive management (Pagham Harbour) and a managed realignment site (Medmerry) have exhibited significant annual morphological change, making site management challenging. Using historical data, data analysis and numerical modelling, this research will seek to explain the dominant causes of the observed dynamics and aim to evaluate tools and models that could be used when planning future schemes.

This project will undertake a detailed comparative analysis of the evolution of each site primarily using the historical data. A numerical model will be used to isolate and understand key processes and evaluate the model’s ability to hindcast the observed changes, especially the switching between delta and spit formations. Field work to collect any additional data needed to setup and validate the model will be integral to the project. Consideration will be given to a suitable application of Machine Learning and the development of an aggregated (appropriate complexity) model that captures the key processes identified.

These two sites provide a unique opportunity for a detailed investigation of some complex morphodynamics. Through this project, the student will engage with the agencies and stakeholders active in ongoing site management (EA, NE, RSPB, ABPmer, CCO, Pagham Advisory Group) and international researchers active on this topic.

You will also be supervised by organisations other than the University of Southampton, including:

• Dr Constantinos Matsoukis from the National Oceanography Centre
• Dr Uwe Dornbusch from the Enviornment Agency