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Modelling approaches for coastal simulation based on cellular automata: the need and potential.

Dearing JA, Richmond N, Plater AJ, Wolf J, Prandle D, Coulthard TJ

University of Liverpool, Department of Geography, Liverpool L69 7ZT, UK. j.dearing@liv.ac.uk

The paper summarizes the theoretical and practical needs for cellular automata (CA)-type models in coastal simulation, and describes early steps in the development of a CA-based model for estuarine sedimentation. It describes the key approaches and formulae used for tidal, wave and sediment processes in a prototype integrated cellular model for coastal simulation designed to simulate estuary sedimentary responses during the tidal cycle in the short-term and climate driven changes in sea-level in the long-term. Results of simple model testing for both one-dimensional and two-dimensional models, and a preliminary parameterization for the Blackwater Estuary, UK, are shown. These reveal a good degree of success in using a CA-type model for water and sediment transport as a function of water level and wave height, but tidal current vectors are not effectively simulated in the approach used. The research confirms that a CA-type model for the estuarine sediment system is feasible, with a real prospect for coupling to existing catchment and nearshore beach/cliff models to produce integrated coastal simulators of sediment response to climate, sea-level change and human actions.

Published 15 March 2006 in Philos Transact A Math Phys Eng Sci, 364(1841): 1051-71.
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