This analysis estimates the population at risk in coastal areas of Poland vulnerable to flooding from a potential 5-meter sea level rise. Using GIS techniques and elevation data, the project identifies vulnerable zones and calculates affected populations.

Methodology

The analysis was conducted using the following workflow:

1. Data Acquisition:
   • European Digital Elevation Model (EU-DEM) v1.1 from Copernicus Land Monitoring Service
   • Global Human Settlement Layer (population density data) from JRC
2. Data Processing:
   • Projected data to WGS 1984 UTM Zone 34N coordinate system
   • Clipped to study area extent
3. Analysis:
   • Identified land areas below 0m elevation (current sea level)
   • Identified areas below 5m elevation (potential flood zone)
   • Combined elevation classes to create risk zones
   • Calculated population statistics for each zone

Key Findings

The analysis reveals significant population vulnerability to sea level rise:

• Areas currently below sea level (depressions) contain 104,333 inhabitants
• Areas between 0-5m elevation contain 209,303 inhabitants
• Total population at risk from 5m sea level rise: 313,636 people