Historical shoreline analysis for the entire Northern Ireland coastline, derived from Ordnance Survey maps and aerial imagery dating back to the early 1800s. Ulster University processed the data using the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) to calculate rate-of-change statistics at 25-meter intervals. The dataset provides a dynamic picture of coastal retreat and accretion over annual to decadal time periods.
Use Cases
- Model coastal erosion and accretion rates based on historical shoreline positions.
- Visualize long-term shoreline change dynamics using the provided geospatial data.
- Assess coastal management strategies based on the Net Shoreline Movement and Linear Regression Rate statistics.
- Identify specific stretches of coastline experiencing significant retreat or growth using the Shoreline Change Envelope metric.
Strengths
- Analysis spans over two centuries, with data from the early 1800s.
- Rate-of-change statistics are calculated at a high spatial resolution of 25-meter intervals.
- Derived from multiple authoritative sources, including Ordnance Survey maps and aerial imagery.
- Includes multiple statistical measures of change (NSM, SCE, EPR, LRR, WLR).
Limitations
- Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
- Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
- Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to the Northern Ireland focus.
Provenance
- Source
- OpenDataNI
- Collection Method
- Analysis of historical Ordnance Survey maps and aerial imagery using the ArcGIS Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS).
- Time Range
- Early 1800s to 2009
- Freshness
- Last updated 2026-03-18 11:24:17.472488; freshness should be verified.
- Geography
- Northern Ireland coastline