5. Summary and conclusions
A method has been developed to construct a probabilistic Bayesian Network (BN), which acts as a surrogate for a process-based model, and can be used as part of an Early Warning System (EWS) for sandy coasts. The BN connects three elements: hydraulic boundary conditions at the 20 m depth contour, characteristics of the coastal zone, and onshore hazards. Hydraulic boundary conditions were derived from a statistical analysis of observed data using copulas, and site characteristics were obtained from measurements. This BN was trained using output data from many pre-computed process-based model simulations, which connect the three elements. Once trained, the response of the BN is instantaneous and can be applied in operational mode as a surrogate for the processbased model. As part of an EWS, the BN can be updated with an observation of the hydraulic boundary conditions to give a prediction for onshore hazards such as erosion, overwash depth and velocities. As an analysis tool, the BN can be used to assess the effect of constraining the probability of one or more variables on the rest of the network. The method was applied to Praia de Faro, Portugal, a low-lying urbanised barrier island, which is subject to frequent flooding. Using a copula-based statistical analysis, which preserves the natural variability of the observations, a synthetic dataset containing 100 events was created, based on 20 years of observations, but extended to return periods of significant wave height of up to 50 years. These events, characterised by the significant wave height, peak wave period, maximum water level and the storm duration, were transformed from offshore to onshore using a 2D XBeach (Roelvink et al., 2009) model. The onshore hazard intensities which are predicted are erosion, overwash depth and flow velocity. Three BNs configurations were constructed, of which the best performing one was able to predict onshore hazards as computed by the model with an accuracy ranging from 81% to 88% and predict no significant onshore hazards with an accuracy ranging from 90% to 95%. Two examples were presented on the use of a BN in operational predictions or as an analysis tool. The added value of this method is that it generic enough to be applied to other coastal sites. Thus, BNs are a promising extension of existing EWSs and a valuable planning tool for coastal managers.