The coastal zone features some of the most dramatic changes occurring in the Arctic. Decreasing sea ice cover, destabilisation of permafrost systems and increased exposure of the coast to storms lead to the rapid rearrangement of already dynamic systems at the land-sea interface. Changes include both changing environmental conditions, bearing threats and options for human welfare and biodiversity, as well as new forms of land and sea use such as enhanced access to resource extraction, or the increasing ship traffic along the coast. Despite the obvious linkages between terrestrial, atmospheric, marine environments, and society occurring around the Arctic coastline, connections between these branches of science are scarce.

The session therefore provides a forum for discussions of recent developments in the study of physical, biological and human dynamics along polar coasts, in the nearshore zone and in the backshore area. The session encourages submissions integrating several disciplines over the entire coastal tract: investigation of material and energy exchanges at the land-ocean interface driven by nearshore and offshore currents, tides, and surface and internal waves as well as ecological, socio-economic, biogeochemical, zoological studies centered around the coastal environment. Submissions on subaerial and subsea permafrost occurrence and evolution in the coastal zone are also welcome.

Session chairs

Paul Overduin 
Karen Frey  
Hugues Lantuit