The effects of climate change on the Scottish coast will be mapped out during a two-year project.

Dynamic Coast will use the latest monitoring techniques to map and categorise the links between erosion and flooding.

The research, led by the Scottish Government and carried out by Glasgow University, will focus on specific study sites including Montrose Bay, St Andrews and Skara Brae.

It is hoped the research will allow them to forecast future change and allow the development of plans to mitigate the effects.

Environment, climate change and land reform minister Roseanna Cunningham said: "Rising sea levels, increased coastal erosion and flooding have caused substantial damage to our coastlines and communities over the last few decades and the pace of erosion is increasing.

"We need to take action now to adapt and adjust to these changes.

"This research will forecast the extent of damage that could be caused to our precious coastlines through the effects of climate change and will work with communities, local authorities, transport agencies and other planning bodies to develop plans to manage coastal change before it's too late."

Managing chairman Mike Cantlay said: "Scotland's beaches and dunes play a vital role in protecting £13bn worth of buildings and roads.

"That is more than twice that currently protected by seawalls. By their dynamic nature, shifting sand dunes can replenish areas of shoreline - as such they are our natural defences.

"This ensures that our beaches and dunes can be a natural ally in combating the effects of climate change.

Glasgow University professor Jim Hansom, said: "We are now facing decades of future sea level rise and increasing erosion and flooding at the coast so we need to better understand the increased risk posed by climate change to coastal assets and communities.

"We need to know whether to adapt, defend or move those coastal assets as well as how social justice might be better incorporated into future policies. Failure to act now will lead to enhanced costs and impacts later."