Academics join bid to stop Venice sinking

A group of scientists from a Scottish university is to play a key role in a major programme to find the best way to stop Venice sinking into the sea.

The experts in coastal systems and environmental management from the University of St Andrews will spend the next few months researching ways to preserve the romantic Italian city.

Nine different European institutions will collaborate on the Tidal Inlets Dynamics and Environment Project, which has been set up to develop a better understanding of tidal areas such as lagoons and estuaries.

As part of the project, scientists will develop models of the evolution of tidal systems using observations of three study sites The Forth Estuary, Morecambe Bay and the Venice lagoon.

The academics from St Andrews will use state-of-the-art techniques to analyse changes in coastal systems.

Part of their study will involve assessing the land-use effects of public access and tourism around the Forth Estuary.

The estuary is of international importance in terms of wading bird populations but has problems of degenerating coastline due to pollution and a rising sea level, they say.

The group will also look at the ways in which conservation policies are perceived by land managers and the general public, and the values which local people attach to the coastline.

Professor David Paterson, head of the sediment ecology research group, St Andrews University, who will lead the study, said his team had ‘‘great experience’’ in analysing coastal systems.

The group aimed to establish the biological status of coastal zones as well as determine the rate of system degradation.

‘‘Plans will be examined to help slow down or halt adverse changes,’’ he added.

The St Andrews-based scientists will receive £240,000 of a £1 million European Union funding package.

Experts say the threat of Venice sinking into its lagoon has intensified because of rising sea levels, thought to be caused by global warming, which are creating more floods in the area.

The nine teams involved in the project hope to construct a database of observations and models of tidal environments in a bid to prevent places, such as the Italian city, sinking into water.

The work is expected to help in the planning and execution of coastal preservation activities such as the construction and preservation of marsh areas.