Digital coast: a scientific proposal for it- based research in coastal regions for the next decade

Abstract

This document corresponds to the Research Program and associated Post-Graduation Program elaborated by the author in the scope of the process of certification for the functions of coordination of scientific research, according to Decree-Law no. 124/99, of April 20th. This Research Program identifies several research themes for the next decade related to the application of information technologies in coastal science and innovation of research. The selection of these themes is framed in the scientific national and international context, focused in particular in the activity of LNEC in this area through the research of the Information Technology in Water and Environment research group, led by the applicant, in collaboration with other divisions of the Hydraulics and Environment Department. After a brief overview of the theme and presentation of the rationale for the development of this work, the national and global context for the Program is presented, wrapping up with the presentation of the research strategy for the Information Technology in Water and Environment research group. From this strategy, the two research areas of this Habilitation Program are identified and briefly described. The first area is the creation and development of reliable, cross-scale, multi-process, on-demand coastal forecast framework for oceans to hydrographic basin application, from hydrodynamics to biogeochemistry. The second area is the creation and development of intelligent, high-resolution, user centered and inclusive coastal digital twins. The two following chapters present the state-of-the-art in these two areas, the challenges to be overcome and the general roadmaps for the tools to be developed in the next decade to address the societal challenges in the coastal regions. The two Research Studies are presented next, organized along 19 projects. For each project, the applicant presents the rationale behind it, along with its goals, describes the methodologies for its implementation and the results to be generated. The resources necessary for its implementation along with the expected partnerships and adequate funding sources are also described. Finally, the Post-Graduation Program is presented, providing multiple M.Sc. and Ph.D. education opportunities framed in the previous Research Program. A total of 9 Ph.D. and 6 M.Sc. proposals are presented.