Beachgoers are being invited to become citizen scientists, contributing to a global project that aims to monitor the changing coastline. This initiative, known as CoastSnap, is part of the CoCor project, which focuses on co-creating coastal resilience. The project's primary goal is to understand how coastlines evolve over time, particularly in the face of climate change, rising sea levels, and coastal erosion. By engaging the public, scientists hope to gain valuable insights into these complex processes.
The project's Northern Ireland branch is led by Melanie Biausque, a geomorphologist with the Geological Survey Northern Ireland. She emphasizes the importance of understanding current coastal dynamics to predict future changes and implement effective protection measures. Tyrella Beach in County Down was chosen as the site for the first CoastSnap photo spot in Northern Ireland due to the local volunteers' efforts to restore its sand dunes. These volunteers have been collecting seeds, planting marram grass, and installing protective fencing and signage.
CoastSnap utilizes a simple yet effective method: beachgoers take photos of a specific part of the coastline through a fixed frame, which is then logged on a website. These images contribute to a comprehensive database that scientists use to study coastal changes over time. By comparing photos taken from the same position at different times, researchers can analyze how the coastline responds to various weather conditions and seasons. This data is crucial for understanding the complex interactions between sand, waves, currents, tides, and the potential future changes they will undergo.
The project is funded by the Department for the Economy and is expanding to include more sites across Northern Ireland. It is designed to be accessible to the public, requiring only a smartphone. Visitors to Tyrella Beach can easily participate by using the provided steel cradle to hold their phone in the correct position and taking photos from the same angle. After capturing the image, they can scan the QR code on the sign and upload it to the CoastSnap website, ensuring their contribution remains anonymous.
The CoastSnap website also allows participants to record additional observations, such as coastal erosion or vegetation changes, which can provide valuable context to the scientific data. While scientists like Biausque cannot be present at Tyrella Beach every day, regular visitors can contribute significantly by sending photos and sharing their observations. This collective effort from beachgoers can help scientists answer crucial questions about the dynamic nature of coastlines and how they will adapt to future environmental changes.
