In this data set, you will find a data file (.xls) and a (.shp) that compiles data to assess the risk in the Catterline Bay, in Scotland, UK. The dataset is composed of multiple layers to assess the social and ecological vulnerability toward shoreline erosion.
Ecosystem: Coastal shoreline
- The slopes and cliffs are mainly vegetated with early successional plant communities (i.e. herbs and grasses) surrounded by a mixture of areas dominated by riparian trees and shrubs.
- The site lies adjacent to the Fowlsheugh coastal nature reserve, known for its high cliff formations and habitat supporting prolific seabird nesting colonies.
- seals and sea birds breed and shelter along the coast
- wild rabbit lives on the slope
Social system: Catterline village in Aberdeenshire council, Scotland
- Catterline Bay hosts a small residential community (approximately 150 inhabitants in whole village) settled atop the cliffs and slopes.
- Catterline’s residents use the slopes, cliffs, beach and shores for recreational purposes only.
- There is also a diver’s club that is operative during the summer months, and maintains an access road to the beach. There’s also a kayak club that meets once a week, also mostly in the summer months.
- Cultural heritage site (fishing community) due to scenic beauty, portrayed by renowned Scottish painters during the last century. The homes along the South Row (located on the southern end of the village) are officially designated as of special architectural or historical interest by law, according to the Planning Act 1997 (Scotland).
Hazards and causes:
- Three main hazards- shallow and deep landslides, surface erosion, and coastal erosion.
- The soil materials comprising the slopes and cliffs at the OAL-UK present silty sand texture. As a result, the mechanical strength of the slope forming materials is subject to changes under wetting and drying cycles, which make the OAL-UK prone to rainfall-induced landslides and surface erosion. These natural hazards are worsened in some sections of the OAL as a result of the outflow of a natural spring from which the local community used to retrieve water for consumption. Once the spring was closed, the water began to outflow diffusively, saturating the slope-forming materials and thus reducing their mechanical strength.
- Moreover, past spring tides in combination with storm surges have led to the dramatic erosion of the toe of the OAL’s slopes and cliffs. This in turn weakens the slope forming materials further, becoming even more prone to rainfall-induced landslides and erosion.
- The hazard level at the OAL is moderate, as ca. 6 % of the OALs surface is subject to landslides, surface and coastal erosion.
- Past major hazard events:
o 1995- major event at the Coastguard Cottage
o 2000- minor landslip at the top of harbour road
o 2012- shallow and deep slips October 2012 following an intense storm season.
o 2020- a moderate event occurred in February 2020 with enough magnitude to block the road down to the bay.
o Minor slippage is a familiar process while major events generally follow sustained wet seasons.
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