Comparison of the vulnerability of limestone (karst) and siliciclastic coasts (example from the Kvarner area, NE Adriatic, Croatia)

The recent shape of the coast in the Kvarner area is primarily a consequence of the drowning of karst relief due to sea-level rise during the Holocene. Further sea-level rise and increased storminess in this coastal area is expected in the future. In order to assess coastal vulnerability, two stretches of the mainland coast and the coast of four main islands in Kvarner have been examined. Most of the coast in the Kvarner area has a low risk of wave-induced marine erosion and has low vulnerability to predicted sea-level changes due to its rocky origin. Carbonate rocky coasts make up most of the coasts, whereas coasts formed in siliciclastic (flysch) rocks are less common. The largest proportion of fine grained beaches (over 20%) is found on Rab Island, due to a higher presence of less resistant flysch rocks. In order to develop mitigation and adaptation plans for future coastal changes, an integrated coastal zone management is proposed.