Environmental and resource applications
To meet all these requirements, a high-quality database with all relevant
spatial and statistical data is essential. However, only a small part of
the necessary information is readily available. Most of the data lie scattered in various authorities and in different formats. Before they can
be used, these disparate data sets must be compiled and prepared in an
appropriate, homogeneous format. Statistical data need to be georeferenced so that they can be correlated to other spatial data (digital terrain models, etc.). As stated by Allen et al. (1995) oneof the well-recognized reasons for using a geographic information system (GIS) is the
integration of disparate data sets. According to Bartlett (1994), GIS has
great potential to optimise the value of information as a resource within
an organization.
In consequence, the coastal defence authorities in Schleswig-Holstein
decided to use GIS in order to establish a digital database (Coastal
Defence GIS, CD-GIS) of all coastal lowlands in the State. As a first step
in the establishment of this CD-GIS, a valuation study of all coastal
lowlands in danger of being flooded during extreme storm surges was
conducted (Hamann, 1994; Hamann & Klug 1998; Hamann & Hofstede 1998). After an overview of the study area, this paper deals with
this valuation study.
Regional setting
Schleswig-Holstein is the most northerly State in Germany. It has an
area of 15,731 km
2 and a population of about 2,700,000. As the State
is situated between two seas, a large part of it may be characterized as
coastal zone. Within this zone, most of the population is concentrated,
e.g. in the harbour cities of Kiel and Lübeck.
The Baltic coastal landscape constitutes a bay-and-headland coast of
glacial origin, interrupted by some large fjords. During the Holocene
transgression, the irregular glacial-moraine topography was smoothed
and straightened by processes of headland erosion and littoral sediment transport into the bays and fjords. Today, the Baltic Sea coastline
of Schleswig-Holstein measures 535 kilometres. The length of the
lowland coastline is 348 km, another 148 km is occupied by cliffs and
the rest by various (anthropogenic) forms. The total area of coastal lowlands (below German Ordnance Datum GOD +3.0 m) amounts to
345 square kilometres. 92,000 people live within this area.
The westcoast of Schleswig-Holstein is part of the Wadden Sea that
fringes the Danish, German ancl Dutch coastlines between Skallingen
in Denmark and Den Helcler in the Netherlands. The formation of the
Wadden Sea with its barrier islands, tidal flats and coastal marshes
started shortly after 8,000 BP when the sea had risen above the GOD
-20 m level (Streif, 1989). As a result of the Holocene transgression up
to 35 m thick sequences of coastal sediments were deposited in the
area. Today the Wadden Sea of Schleswig-Holstein occupies an area of
2,759 km 2 , 434 km 2 of which are islands and saltmarshes. The length
213
To meet all these requirements, a high-quality database with all relevant
spatial and statistical data is essential. However, only a small part of
the necessary information is readily available. Most of the data lie scattered in various authorities and in different formats. Before they can
be used, these disparate data sets must be compiled and prepared in an
appropriate, homogeneous format. Statistical data need to be georeferenced so that they can be correlated to other spatial data (digital terrain models, etc.). As stated by Allen et al. (1995) oneof the well-recognized reasons for using a geographic information system (GIS) is the
integration of disparate data sets. According to Bartlett (1994), GIS has
great potential to optimise the value of information as a resource within
an organization.
In consequence, the coastal defence authorities in Schleswig-Holstein
decided to use GIS in order to establish a digital database (Coastal
Defence GIS, CD-GIS) of all coastal lowlands in the State. As a first step
in the establishment of this CD-GIS, a valuation study of all coastal
lowlands in danger of being flooded during extreme storm surges was
conducted (Hamann, 1994; Hamann & Klug 1998; Hamann & Hofstede 1998). After an overview of the study area, this paper deals with
this valuation study.
Regional setting
Schleswig-Holstein is the most northerly State in Germany. It has an
area of 15,731 km
2 and a population of about 2,700,000. As the State
is situated between two seas, a large part of it may be characterized as
coastal zone. Within this zone, most of the population is concentrated,
e.g. in the harbour cities of Kiel and Lübeck.
The Baltic coastal landscape constitutes a bay-and-headland coast of
glacial origin, interrupted by some large fjords. During the Holocene
transgression, the irregular glacial-moraine topography was smoothed
and straightened by processes of headland erosion and littoral sediment transport into the bays and fjords. Today, the Baltic Sea coastline
of Schleswig-Holstein measures 535 kilometres. The length of the
lowland coastline is 348 km, another 148 km is occupied by cliffs and
the rest by various (anthropogenic) forms. The total area of coastal lowlands (below German Ordnance Datum GOD +3.0 m) amounts to
345 square kilometres. 92,000 people live within this area.
The westcoast of Schleswig-Holstein is part of the Wadden Sea that
fringes the Danish, German ancl Dutch coastlines between Skallingen
in Denmark and Den Helcler in the Netherlands. The formation of the
Wadden Sea with its barrier islands, tidal flats and coastal marshes
started shortly after 8,000 BP when the sea had risen above the GOD
-20 m level (Streif, 1989). As a result of the Holocene transgression up
to 35 m thick sequences of coastal sediments were deposited in the
area. Today the Wadden Sea of Schleswig-Holstein occupies an area of
2,759 km 2 , 434 km 2 of which are islands and saltmarshes. The length
213