CoastSnap is a community science initiative that uses repeat photography from fixed viewpoints to monitor and analyse changes in coastlines over time. It relies on contributions from beachgoers and coastal communities, who take photos from designated camera mounts or cradles, which are then uploaded and analysed using image‐processing techniques. This approach provides an accessible and engaging way for the public to contribute valuable coastal data. Community participation is essential for increasing public awareness of how local coastlines are evolving in response to climate change. CoastSnap is a unique global project that directly involves the public, encouraging them to take photographs of their beach, and hopefully aiding their understanding of coastal change over time.
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The concept of CoastSnap originated in Australia, at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in 2017 (coastsnap.com). Since then, the initiative has become a global success with over 21 countries setting up their own CoastSnap projects, amounting to more than 600 stations.
South West Coastal Monitoring (SWCM) installed their first station at Wembury (south Devon) in 2019 and has since expanded to 37 active stations across the South West. The data collected could help to understand coastal erosion, recovery after storms, long‐term effects of sea-level rise, and the impacts of human activity.
The CoastSnap project, has been funded by various bodies across the South West. In Cornwall, the CoastSnap stations have been funded through Making Space for Sand (MS4S), which is funded through the Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme (FCIP), as part of the governments National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England. The aim of MS4S is to better understand the problems associated with coastal change and to encourage the more sustainable use and development of the coastal fringe, where possible working with nature.
Head over to the full article in the latest issue of the magazine to see the case studies, and images from the project.