Mapping Coastline Evolution and Sea Depth Dynamics in SE Asia since the last ice age 26 ky ago
We present a global geophysical based coastline and sea depth model to produce accurate reconstructions of coastline positions, shelf seas, and coral seas, covering a time span from the last glacial maximum 26,000 years ago to today. Its precision is achieved by incorporating geological data to account for factors like crustal deformation, gravitational effects from ice sheets, and local uplift and subsidence rates. This flexibility allows for adjustments based on localized variations in sea levels. The model generates raster and polygon outputs at regular intervals of at least 500 years, enabling detailed measurements of coastal changes and sea depth shifts. These reconstructed geographical configurations and rates allow for biogeographic and statistical analyses, offering insights into the impact of spatial dynamics on ecosystems, species migrations and biodiversity. An interactive map of the Sunda-Saharan region is presented, showing how connections between key islands like Borneo, Sulawesi, New Guinea, and satellite islands have evolved since the last ice age. Also the spatial dynamics of shallow seas <40 m is demonstrated. To ensure consistency and ease of use, we integrated our workflow into the Temporal Altitudinal Biomes Shift (TABS) R package. This package provides a user-friendly default setup applicable to islands globally, with the option to include local bathymetric models and geological data, such as uplift and subsidence rates. TABS not only captures the dynamic nature of past terrestrial and marine biomes, but also provides a valuable tool for projecting future sea-level rise scenarios. By integrating geological, climatic and ecological dynamics, we aim to bridge the gap between theoretical models and practical applications, providing a comprehensive framework to better understand and manage the evolving landscapes of our planet's biomes.