One-Dimensional Shoreline Evolution Modeling at Sea Turtle Nesting Ground Near the Rushikulya Estuary, Southern Odisha Coast, India

Shoreline changes and their prediction are crucial elements for integrated coastal zone management since the coastal zone is one of any country’s most valuable environmental and economic assets. The present work mainly focuses on the assessment of sediment transport rate and shoreline prediction close to a well-known sea turtle nesting beach at the Rushikulya estuary along India’s east coast. Both LITDRIFT and LITLINE modules were used to estimate the longshore sediment transport and shoreline evolution. The results were validated with the shoreline change analysis data made through the digital shoreline analysis system (DSAS) model and verified with Google Earth images. The correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.54) was found to be satisfactory when comparing the shoreline change rate of the DSAS model and the LITPACK results. Findings from the LITLINE model reveal that the sand spit is constantly advancing northward, whereas the projected and observed shorelines diverge. According to Google Earth images, the northern half of the estuary is experiencing high erosions, where mass nesting occurs, whereas the southern part of the estuary (south sand spit) is experiencing deposition. The study would be immensely valuable to coastal researchers, managers, and stakeholders prior to any development operations at the study site.