ABSTRACT
Extreme events can have significant impacts on natural coastal environments including sandy shores, reefs, lagoons and estuaries, as well as on coastal communities and infrastructure. Decision-makers are required to grant or refuse approvals for new commercial and residential infrastructure that may be in place for decades in this highly dynamic coastal zone. Numerical models are important tools that can provide critical information for governments to plan and implement measures that protect habitats, people and communities. Equally, there are industrial applications for this information in relation to the myriad of commercial operations in the coastal zone. In order to correctly develop and apply numerical models it is critical to understand coastal processes. This chapter explores the different coastal processes during extreme events, the challenges of data collection and forecasting and how new research is advancing the field.
