MOTIVATIONS
The appearance, growth, and survival of coastal transitional environments (CTE) depend on the interaction between sedimentation, relative sea-level rise (RSLR), and soil compaction. Developed over the last few thousand years, these environments are composed of very soft materials that compact significantly when new sediments are deposited. Recent analyses suggest that Holocene sedimentation rates, compaction processes and lithology distribution significantly impact the resilience of CTE against climate change.
Understanding the processes that influence surface elevation, quantifying the geomechanical and hydrogeological properties of sediments, and developing accurate models for their evolution over the Holocene are crucial. These efforts will help reveal how sedimentary bodies might influence future evolution in relation to sediment availability and RSLR. Given the accelerating climate change and ongoing loss of coastal wetlands due to human activities, it is essential to quantify sediment needs to maintain the resilience of CTE against RSLR.
OBJECTIVES
The overall goal of RESTORE is to find solutions to protect CTE from RSLR. The Venice Lagoon, which is the largest lagoon in the Mediterranean Sea basin, is selected as the representative case study in RESTORE.
RESTORE aims at achieving the following objectives.
 | OBJ-1: Develop a 3D detailed reconstruction of the Holocene stratigraphic architecture of the entire Venice Lagoon and associate appropriate geomechanical characteristics. |
 | OBJ-2: Develop a numerical model able to simulate the altimetric evolution and natural subsidence over the Holocene. |
 | OBJ-3: Provide quantitative data on sediments needed to keep up with SLR under IPCC projections. |
 | OBJ-4: Produce vulnerability maps of tidal morphologies to various RSLR scenarios to support policymakers in developing restoration, conservation and mitigation plans. |
 | OBJ-5: Promote social awareness on the importance of saltmarshes and their sensitivity to climate change. |