SANDY BEACH DYNAMICS IN ATOLL ENVIRONMENTS UNDER OBLIQUE LOW ENERGY WAVES AND SEA LEVEL RISE: A CASE STUDY IN ADDU CITY, THE MALDIVES

Atoll environments, characterized by their unique geological and ecological features, are vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change and are often subject to distinct coastal processes (Barnett, 2003). Sandy beaches within atolls can play a pivotal role in ensuring the stability of shorelines, providing habitat for diverse ecosystems, and sustaining the well-being of local communities. Furthermore, the implementation of sandy solutions can minimize the need for rock in coastal protection strategies. However, the interactions between oblique low energy waves, storm conditions, sea level rise and beach morphology in atolls are complex and relatively understudied. This research presents an investigation of the dynamic coastal processes in the context of the recently created land reclamations and sandy beaches in the Small Island Development State (SIDS) of Addu City, the Maldives.