Spatial zoning of shoreline management plan of the northern Persian Gulf

Abstract

A shoreline management plan (SMP) implies thematic actions to conserve natural resources and sustainable development. The research aimed to achieve optimized spatial zoning of the SMP along the Bushehr Province, Persian Gulf, Iran. The research method includes computing sea flood level combining elevations of the high astronomic tide (HAT), the storm set-up, the wave set-up, and the climate change-induced sea-level rise, and the depth of closure (DoC) to set upper and lower boundaries of SMP spatial zoning. The SMP longitudinal limits divide based on sedimentary cells, sub-cells, and shore sections considering governing littoral drifts, the possibility of sediment bypassing, and natural and artificial trap restrictions. Results imply spatial zoning of a 2,854,250-ha area of the Boushehr coastal watersheds, including three sedimentary cells, 16 sub-cells, and 36 shore sections. The maximum and minimum sea flood levels (100-year return period) as the hazard line for precaution and management considerations in the northern Persian Gulf vary between 4.25 m and 3.11 m, introduced sea flood zones of 80,379.38 ha and 61,013.25 ha spatially in sediment cell-1 and sediment cell-2. Seaside the SMP management units introduced to DoC of 48,280.51 ha, 67,190.17 ha, and 442 ha in sediment cell-1, sediment cell-2, and sediment cell-3, which vary depths between 5.27 m and 3.03 m. The research method is a guideline for sea-oriented development, especially for coastal watershed management, optimal placement of prosperity and population loading, and prevention of environmental hazards.