Co-Convenors:
Iñigo Losada (University of Cantabria, Spain)
Poh Poh Wong (University of Adelaide, Australia)

Invited Speaker:
Poh Poh Wong (University of Adelaide, Australia)

Scientific evidence has been presented during the last decades that the coasts and low-lying areas, especially deltas, are experiencing the adverse consequences of the hazards related to climate change. Saltmarshes, coral reefs, mangroves and other relevant ecosystems are and will be suffering degradation affecting seriously their sustainability and the services they provide. Besides, coastal human settlements are highly vulnerable to climate change, especially to extreme events. The combination of sea level rise with the alteration of sea surface temperature, storm surges, waves, run-off/precipitation and acidification are some of the relevant elements to be considered. Besides, external stressors mostly originated by increasing human-pressure such as land-use, hydrological changes in catchments, groundwater extraction or reduced sediment supply exacerbate the impact of climate change. Erosion, flooding, saltwater intrusion, ecosystem deterioration and migration or increasing valuable human assets at risk are some of the immediate impacts requiring further research and immediate action.
Contributions to this session may help to clarify and quantify the drivers of climate change impacts in coastal areas, from the evidence to projections as well as those considering the impacts and adaptation options for natural and human coastal systems.