Evolution of the northern Fujian coast under the impact of natural and anthropogenic forces, 1976–2017: an analysis of coastal monitoring and satellite images

Abstract

The province of Fujian on China’s southeast coast is severely impacted by typhoons. Based on coastal profile monitoring and 40 years of satellite data, this paper analyzed the response of coastal profiles to natural and anthropogenic forces along the northern part of Fujian’s coast. Results indicated that the pattern of coastal evolution differed largely on cross-shore profiles and longshore coastlines. Only a few sandy coasts were severely affected by extreme weather events in summer, such as typhoons and storm surges, which may result from the wind direction relative to the coast. The cross-shore profiles changed drastically while the mean high-water coastline remained stable. In contrast, anthropogenic forces had a dual effect due to artificial sand extraction and reclamation. Artificial sand extraction usually occurred on sandy coasts, resulting in a decrease in some local surface profiles of tens of centimeters to metres in two years. Reclamation had the main impact on muddy coasts, especially in bays, causing seaward progradation during the past 40 years. The impacts of human activities on muddy coasts were far greater than natural factors. Findings from our coastal monitoring study for both sandy and muddy coasts provide an important scientific basis for practical applications, such as Fujian coastal protection, coastal zone exploitation, and utilization planning.