Possibilities of remote sensing technologies in coastal studies

Remote sensing techniques are a valuable tool to obtain specific information of the spatial and temporal characteristics of the coastal zone. This holds not only for mapping and GIS purposes, but also for more process-oriented developments in the physical and social systems of this zone. This paper addresses particularly the possibilities of remote sensing techniques for the hydro- and morphodynamics of the coastal zone s.s. An integrated approach combining remote sensing data and specific hydrodynamic modelling has opened interesting new possibilities for obtaining quantitative information on determining coastal process parameters. This reflects: bottom topographical data, the wave climate, wave predictions, real time flow calculations and inventories of available sand mining prospects. Such developments are in an early stage at the moment. However rapid progress is expected in the near future.