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Table: Erosion vulnerability checklist based on geo-indicators

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  Sand coast Gravel coast Cliffs Estuary
Severe erosion likely if ...        
Dunes or gravel barrier absent with overwash by waves or storm tides common * *   *
Active wave scarping of dune or gravel-barrier "remnants" * *   *
Active cliff scarping and slope slumping     *  
Vegetation absent *     *
Older shoreline protection structures now on beach, offshore or collapsing * * * *
Locality near to estuary inlet or river mouth * * * *
Coastal feature is a narrow spit that may be breached * *    
Erosion likely if ...        
Dunes or gravel barriers low, scarped or breached in places * *    
Cliffs steep with no talus ramp at the toe (i.e., no pile of debris)     *  
Tree stumps, peat, mud exposed on beach occasionally * *   *
Beach narrow or steep with minimal high-tide (dry) beach * *    
Overwash passageways with overwash fans of sediment or low access way gaps * *    
Vegetation comes and goes or toppled along scarp line *   * *
Estuaries/harbours with large wind fetch lengths at high tide or open to ocean swell       *
Marsh, swamp or mangrove areas landward of beach   *   *
Long-term stability or accretion likely if ...        
Dunes or beach barriers are robust, unbreached, vegetated * *   *
Cliffs vegetated, with stable (vegetated) talus ramp at the cliff toe     *  
Beach is wide, with well-developed berm seaward of the dune/gravel barrier * *    
No or little evidence of overwash * *   *
Vegetation well developed down to shoreline (maritime forest, shrubs, grasses) *   * *
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