A Geoinformation-Based Approach for Mapping Coastal Vulnerability in Sweden

Coastal areas in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions are getting increasingly vulnerable to climate change, particularly due to sea-level rise and changing wave dynamics. This study assesses the coastal vulnerability of Sweden using the Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI), based on a GIS-based, semi-quantitative approach integrating Earth Observation (EO) and geoinformatics. Six physical parameters were used: coastal geomorphology, coastal slope, shoreline change rate, relative sea-level change, mean tidal range, and significant wave height. CVI scores were derived from openly available national and international datasets, including satellite imagery and historical records. Mean tidal range and relative sea-level change were the most influential variables. The results indicate significant spatial variability: 36.5% of the coastline is classified as having “High” or “Very High” vulnerability, mainly in the south, while over 41% is “Low” or “Very Low,” especially in the Gulf of Bothnia. This assessment offers a harmonized spatial baseline to support sustainable coastal planning and adaptation efforts in Sweden and provides a comparative framework for coastal vulnerability studies across northern Europe.