Unit 4.4 - Coastal Vulnerability Mapping: relevance and methodology

A proper knowledge, identification and quantification of the coastal vulnerabilities in the case of an oil spill incident is an important asset in the definition of contingency planning and risk assessment approaches, tactical response, and also in the definition of adequate environmental monitoring programmes. For instance, coastal vulnerabilities may help decision-makers in prioritization in the different stages of risk management: before, during and after a spill.

You can find a detailed description of the relevance (e.g. risk management prioritization), methodology and application of coastal vulnerability mapping in the Portuguese continental coast, in the following document:

Examples of Coastal vulnerability indices:

- Portuguese continental coast (updated version developed by Bentley Systems for MARPOCS project. Previous versions were developed by CIIMAR, IST, Hidromod in EROCIPS and ARCOPOL platform projects):

- Madeira coast - socio-economic vulnerability index (developed by ARDITI-OOM for MARPOCS project):

(Both previous indices were developed under the methodology previously explained)

- Environmental Sensitivty Index maps by NOAA (USA)

- INTECMAR / Plan CAMGAL (check "Risk analysis layers" -> "vulnerability")

- INTECMAR / Plan CAMGAL (check "Risk analysis layers" -> "vulnerability"):

- Territorial Information System for Canary Islands (check "Riesgo de contaminación costera" -> "vulnerabilidad"):