Publicacións

@article{bergillos_combined_2022,

title = {A combined approach to cliff characterization: Cliff Stability index},

author = {Rafael J. Bergillos and Cristobal Rodriguez-Delgado and Luis Medina-Rodríguez and Jesús Fernández-Ruíz and Jose M. Rodriguez-Ortiz and Gregorio Iglesias},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025322721002887},

doi = {10.1016/j.margeo.2021.106706},

issn = {0025-3227},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-02-01},

urldate = {2022-02-01},

journal = {Marine Geology},

volume = {444},

pages = {106706},

abstract = {In this work, a combined multidisciplinary method to characterize coastal cliff environments is presented. It combined two complementary approaches – engineering and geomorphological. The first one is represented by the wave power values along the cliff face. For that purpose, the deep-water wave climate is statistically characterized, and high-energy sea states are numerically propagated to the cliff with a state-of-the-art model. The variations in wave power at the cliff face are controlled by the varying cliff orientation and by the irregular morphology, which influences wave propagation through refraction and shoaling processes. Based on wave power, four engineering exposure levels, from low to extreme, are defined and mapped onto the cliff. The geomorphological approach is based on an index developed ad hoc for this work, the Cliff Stability (CS) index, which takes into account the cliff geometry, lithology, structure and degradation state, as well as the hydrological conditions. Based on the CS index, four geomorphological exposure levels are defined and mapped, from low to extreme. The combined approach is shown through the application to a study site in NW Spain. The two perspectives, engineering and geomorphological, are found to yield similar results in some sections of the study area, but not all. It may be inferred that, despite the importance of wave action in shaping the cliff, the additional elements included in the CS index also play a significant role. In practical terms, the significance of these results is that the two approaches, engineering and geomorphological, should be combined to properly characterize coastal cliffs. This combined approach represents a multidisciplinary tool to define and characterize the exposure levels and, thus, prevent damages in cliff environments across the world.},

keywords = {Cliff stability, Coastal geology, Coastal geomorphology, Exposure, Wave power},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{bergillos_multi-criteria_2020,

title = {Multi-criteria characterization and mapping of coastal cliff environments: A case study in NW Spain},

author = {Rafael J. Bergillos and Cristobal Rodriguez-Delgado and Javier Cremades and Luis Medina-Rodríguez and Gregorio Iglesias},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969720344715},

doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140942},

issn = {0048-9697},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-12-01},

urldate = {2026-08-06},

journal = {Science of The Total Environment},

volume = {746},

pages = {140942},

abstract = {This paper presents a novel approach to characterize cliff exposure to marine action that combines wave power and biology. This multidisciplinary approach is illustrated through a case study on a coastal stretch in NW Spain – the Catedrales Natural Monument. The engineering perspective is based on quantifying the wave power acting on the cliff. To this end, a statistical characterization of the wave climate in deep water is carried out, and relevant sea states are propagated numerically from deep water to the cliff. Four levels of cliff exposure, from sheltered to exposed, are defined based on wave power and mapped onto the study area. As for the biological perspective, ecological factors, bioindicated variables and biological indicators characterized through field observations are considered and, on this basis, also four levels of cliff exposure are established and mapped. In general, there is good agreement between the exposure patterns obtained through the engineering and biological perspectives; however, there are some differences in certain areas. The upshot is that the engineering and biological points of view should be regarded as complementary. The multi-criteria characterization performed in this paper may be used as a management tool to establish different degrees of exposure to marine action on cliff coasts elsewhere.},

keywords = {Cliff mapping, Coastal management, Erosion, Marine ecology, Wave power},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}