Understanding and quantifying natural sediment transport processes at a variety of temporal and spatial scales is an essential part of estimating shoreline change, thus critical in decision-making.

The joint Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Research and Development programme is working with ABPmer to identify common approaches to developing sediment budgets for different sediment types, temporal and spatial scales.

Understanding and quantifying natural sediment transport processes at a variety of temporal and spatial scales is an essential part of estimating shoreline change, and thus critical in decision-making. Despite its importance and value, quantifying sediment transport at a given area through the identification of its ‘sediment budget’ is often developed in isolation and there is no consistent approach to sediment budget analysis (SBA). As a consequence, results of SBA are not easily comparable and are of varying usefulness at the strategic and project scale.

Heidi Roberts, Head of Physical Processes at ABPmer said:

“We are delighted to be working with the FCERM R and D programme. We have a long history of providing support to shoreline management planning and are recognised specialists in coastal and marine processes.

“Working with other ongoing research programmes, the first step in this project will establish common approaches to developing sediment budgets for different sediment types, temporal and spatial scales.”

The aim of the project is to support flood and coastal risk management practioners by consolidating best practice on sediment budget analysis. The outputs will be user focused; enabling regulators, scientists and engineers to make the best use of the science, tools and data available.

For more information, contact Heidi Roberts on +44 (0) 2380 711 888.