Dear Colleagues,

The morphodynamics paradigm has been used over the past several decades to explain changes in the shape of the coast in terms of the mutually inter-dependent hydrodynamic, biologic, and anthropogenic processes; seafloor and landscape morphologies; and time-dependent sequences of change.  The shape of the coast and the processes that mold the coast change together as a complex system. There is constant feedback among the multiple components of the system and when the environmental conditions change, all facets of the system also change. The time scales of change range from hours to seasonal to decadal to millennial. Although progressive and sequential changes are the norm, abrupt shifts to different states can also take place when certain equilibrium thresholds are crossed. These abrupt “tipping points” often involve short-lived periods of positive feedback. A prominent example is the coupling of rapid warming of the Arctic with melting sea ice. Climate change is also causing an increasing frequency of “compound events”, such as storm surge combined with torrential rains or river floods. These events are superimposed on progressive rises in relative sea level and are anticipated to push many coastal morphodynamic systems to tipping points beyond which recovery may be impossible.  Complex systems modeling results are urgently needed to anticipate future coastal threats. Innovative engineering solutions will be needed to adapt to changes in coastal landscapes and environmental risks. For this Special Issue, papers on tipping points and cascading physical, ecological, socioeconomic effects, or multi-faceted complex systems are invited. Contributions based on observational or numerically modelled research, as well as review papers, regional case studies, and global projections are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Lynn Donelson Wright
Dr. Rafael J. Bergillos
Prof. Dr. Rodger Tomlinson
Guest Editors

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• coastal erosion
• sea level rise
• storm surge
• coastal resilience
• tipping points
• model predictions
• climate change impacts