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Finkl, C.W. and Makowski, C., 2023. Conceptualization of sequential cross-shore eco-geomorphological units in topographic profiles: Introduction and application of coastal belt archimorphs and ideograms as related to the BCCS (Biophysical Cross-Shore Classification System). Journal of Coastal Research, 39(1), 1–17. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. The BCCS (Biophysical Cross-Shore Classification System) is a method of coastal classification based on the concept of using cross-shore eco-geomorphological catenary sequences to define the nature of coastal belts with variable extensions inland and alongshore. The methodology of the BCCS is based on the recognition of cross- and alongshore sequences (Coastal Ecological Sequences, CES) that form overarching catenas (Dominant Catenary Sequences, DCS) when viewed with satellite images in planview. Extension of these concepts to embrace topographic slices across the coast (in a tomographic sense) produces archimorphs that show actual surface (terrestrial and marine) elevations above and below sea level. Based on elevation data from satellite imagery, several repeating profile shapes were concised to a modicum of idealized line-illustrated conceptual shapes that are referred to as ideograms. The ideograms are based on archimorphs, which are the dominant or essential archetypical shapes of eco-geomorphological environments, such as barrier, beach, beach ridge, channel, cliff, coral reef, delta, developed, dune, flat, ice, lagoon, lake, mountain, rock, till, upland, or wetland archetypes. Archimorphs typically combine cross-shore with each other to form polymorphic sequences used to subdivide ideograms into archetype or subarchetype segments. By doing so, a better understanding of spatial linkages between generalized eco-geomorphological units is obtained. Eighteen coastal ideograms are presented in this paper as prospects for stylizing profile shapes to gather immediate conceptualizations of coastal belts. Selected profiles from around the world were constructed to show, in a single illustration, the principal components of cross-shore profiles that include information relating to (but not inclusive of) topographic shape, archimorphs based on elevation data, catenary archimorphic sequences (polymorphs), ideograms based on idealized tomographs, and correlation to the BCCS codifications that include Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) and terrestrial Ecoregions (ERs). This kind of conceptual collage amalgamates diverse types of information into a compact format for easy comprehension of coastal setups in an instantaneous view. These annotated classification profiles can be used for coastal belts the world over and have applications in the biophysical, geographical, managerial, and military sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finkl, C.W. and Makowski, C., 2022. Classification of coastal belts in the Argentine subpolar southeast coast of Tierra del Fuego using the BCCS (Biophysical Cross-shore Classification System). Journal of Coastal Research, 38(5), 908–924. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. The Biophysical Cross-shore Classification System (BCCS) was experimentally applied to the southeast coast of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, by compartmentalizing the coast into seven discrete coastal belts that retained a degree of homogeneity from 2 km offshore to about 5 km inland. By interpreting satellite imagery, coastal belts were subdivided into cross-shore transects with alongshore spread to produce codified concatenations that characterized specific eco-geomorphological sequences comprising domains. Different types of domains were identified by archetypes that specified a particular Dominant Catenary Sequence (DCS), which in turn was refined by the inclusion of subarchetypes to produce a Coastal Ecological Sequence (CES). The seven coastal belts comprising a 58.5 km stretch of shore contained 39 CES transects that averaged about 1.5 km of shore length, but ranged from 0.8 km to 3.3 km in alongshore stretch. Dominant offshore, inshore, and onshore classificatory units included Rock (R), Beach (Be), and Cliff (Cl) catenas, which were followed inland by Wetland (W), Lake (Lk), Channel (Ch), and Upland (U) archetypical sequences. Delta (De) and Beach Ridge (Br) archetypes were noted as minor features in some cross-shore transects. Common trisequent DCS transects included R-Be-Cl and Be-Cl-U, which subsequently incorporated landward variations with Lagoon (L), Lake (Lk), and Wetland (W) archetypes. Results of this experiment showed that the BCCS comprehended how subpolar periglacial and paraglacial coastal belts dominantly comprised by glacial outwash have ground surface manifestations that are recognizable in satellite imagery by recurring spectral patterns. This cold tundra coastal region is thus largely characterized by rocky offshores and gravelly beaches backed by cliffs (composed of unconsolidated materials) and channeled wetland (peatland) hinterlands with coastal marine lakes and forested uplands. In accordance with the BCCS, this classification can be concised to CES subarchetype code sequences such as Rrr-Besi-Clse-Wmr-Chmd-Lkcm-Ufo. This study demonstrates that codification of cross-shore eco-geomorphological transects using the BCCS provides a shorthand notation for classifying coastal belts in high-latitude regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finkl, C.W. and Makowski, C., 2020. Coastal Belt Linked Classification (CBLC): A system for characterizing the interface between land and sea based on large marine ecosystems, coastal ecological sequences, and terrestrial ecoregions. Journal of Coastal Research, 36(4), 677–693. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. The Coastal Belt Linked Classification (CBLC) is a novel approach based on interpretation of satellite images and assimilation of collateral data to characterize coastal belt segments that function as discrete interfaces between land and sea. This method is based on the formulation of concepts derived from the Biophysical Cross-shore Classification System (BCCS), the worldwide and regional-scale Large Marine Ecosystems (LME) classification, and the global distribution of terrestrial Ecoregions (ER). The coastal belt, a zone that extends across the shore from marine environments to inland terrestrial habitats, has recently been described in terms of cross-shore catenary sequences based on biophysical attributes of geomorphology and ecology. The CBLC formulates a cross-shore coastal classification by conjoining the Dominant Catenary Sequences (DCS) and Coastal Ecological Sequences (CES) with marine (LME) and terrestrial (ER) ecological systems; thus, a linkage is now provided between marine and terrestrial areas across coastal belts that function as transitional succession zones. This study proposes to combine the traditionally separated tripartite marine, coastal, and terrestrial delineations by melding them into a single descriptive code sequence that can be ascertained from interpretation of Google Earth satellite imagery and accessing collateral data via interactive LME and ER online platforms. Development of the CBLC is facilitated by the fact that LME and ER units are codified by numerals that are easily added to the formulated CES as prefixes and suffixes. The resulting combined alphanumeric code brings together a trove of information at different levels of investigation (Levels I – IV) that was heretofore not easily assimilated. This linkage of DCS and CES catenas with marine LME and terrestrial ER units brings added advantage to the interpretation of satellite imagery of the world's coasts, as it allows coastal belts to be viewed within the context of transitional interfaces between connected marine and terrestrial parameters. Recognition of coastal belts as interfacial bridges linking terrestrial and marine ecosystems into one codified descriptor sequence allows for cross-shore transects to be defined in the form of the Coastal Belt Linked Classification (CBLC) and provides an opportunity to fully comprehend the dynamic nature of coastal zones around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Klemas, V.; Finkl, C.W., and Kabbara, N., 2014. Remote sensing of soil moisture: an overview in relation to coastal soils. Soil moisture plays an important role in the exchange of water and heat energy between the land and atmosphere and is used in studies of global climate change. Soil moisture data are also required for reservoir management, early warning of droughts, irrigation scheduling, and crop yield forecasting. Coastal soils in general span the gamut of soil properties necessary for agriculture and maintaining natural environments, including transitional wetlands. Beach characteristics, such as soil moisture, grain size and type, are needed for determining substrate-bearing strength, modeling beach erosion, and planning beach nourishment. Because microwave radiation from soil is strongly dependent on moisture content, soil moisture has traditionally been mapped with airborne microwave radiometers. Innovative antenna technology has enabled microwave radiometers on satellites, such as Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity and Aqua, to measure soil moisture on a global scale. Better corrections for surface roughness, vegetation cover, soil temperature, and topography must still be devised, and techniques for sensing soil moisture beyond the top few centimeters developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Northwest Territories, Canada's MacKenzie River Delta, Beaufort Sea Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Ecuador's Boca del Rio Santiago Delta, Pacific Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Turkmenistan's Turkmenbashi Bay, Caspian Sea Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Brazil's Amazon River Delta, Atlantic Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Pakistan's Indus River Delta, Arabian Sea Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Alaska's Ivishak River Delta, Beaufort Sea Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Alaska's Cook Inlet, Sustina Flats Deltaic Area, Gulf of Alaska Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Hawaii's Ni'ihau Island, Pacific Coast.. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Chile's Tierra del Fuego Archipelago, Isla Wollaston, Strait of Magellan Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Romania's Danube River Delta, Black Sea Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Egypt's Nile River Delta, Mediterranean Sea Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Argentinian and Uruguayan Border's Rio de la Plata Delta, Atlantic Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Panama, Azeuro Peninsula's Equatorial Delta, Gulf of Panama Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Denmark's Skagen, North Sea Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Mexico, State of Veracruz's Gulf of Mexico Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Albania's Karaburun Peninsula, Adriatic Sea Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Sardinia, Italy's Medio Campidano Province, Mediterranean Sea Coast.. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Corsica, France's Mediterranean Sea Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Sultanate of Oman's Dhofar Governorate, Arabian Sea Coast.. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Nicaragua's Pacific Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Peru's Isla Lobos de Tierra, Pacific Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Papua New Guinea's East New Britain, Bismark Sea Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Latvia's Rucava Municipality, Ceplenieki, Baltic Sea Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Alaska's North Slope Borough, Arctic Ocean Coast.. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Namibia's Skeleton Coast, Atlantic Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Tasmania's Flinders Island, Tasman Sea Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Ireland's County Mayo, Westport, Clew Bay Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Portugal's Algarve, Atlantic Coast.. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Tasmania's Tasman Sea Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of British Columbia's Graham Island, Gulf of Alaska Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Canada's Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, Atlantic Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.

The article presents an illustrated reference of biophysical environment of Japan's Hokkaido Prefecture, Pacific Coast. Topics discussed include coastal belt linked classification (CBLC), related environments and habitats; dominant catenary sequence (DCS): coastal ecological sequence (CES); and related geology, biology, geomorphology, littoral oceanography.