kusttyp

Kusttyp, or coast type, is a classification used in coastal geography to describe a coastline based on its dominant geomorphology, sediment regime and hydrodynamic conditions. The concept helps explain how coasts respond to storms, sea level rise and sediment supply, and it informs planning, conservation and hazard mitigation.

Common kusttyper include several broad categories. Sandy coasts are dominated by beaches and dunes with substantial aeolian activity and variable sediment supply; they are typically dynamic and prone to erosion and overwash. Rocky coasts consist of cliffs or resistant shore platforms shaped by strong wave action, with limited sediment cover and rapid geomorphic response to coastal forcing. Estuarine or mudflat coasts are sheltered by tidal inlets and channels, featuring extensive flats, brackish waters and pronounced tidal processes. Deltaic or coastal plain coasts are low-lying, sediment-rich zones where freshwater and marine processes build distributaries and wetlands, often with important ecological habitats. In cold or high-latitude areas, ice-affected coasts can display periglacial processes, frost action and unique sediment dynamics that influence stability.

Determining a kusttyp involves field observations, aerial or satellite imagery, and sometimes LiDAR or bathymetric data. Classification criteria typically include shoreline form, relief, sediment size and supply, tidal range, wave exposure and vegetation or habitat characteristics. The kusttyp framework supports risk assessment for erosion, flooding and coastal defense, guides habitat conservation and helps prioritize monitoring and adaptation measures. While there is no single universal system, many national and regional inventories adopt similar typologies to facilitate comparison and planning.