Coastal areas are one of the most dynamic environments existing on Earth, affected by diverse continental and marine processes (such as waves, tides, ocean currents, wind, and river discharges) interacting at different temporal and spatial scales. Furthermore, they are particularly vulnerable to impacts related to climate change, namely sea-level rise and the increase in the magnitude and/or frequency of storms. On the other hand, these areas host the development of human activities such as industry, transport, tourism, and recreation. Due to this intensive exploitation and the increased percentage of populations in coastal regions, their resilience has been extremely compromised. All these interactions result in increased exposure that often has serious consequences on coasts globally.
In order to know the magnitude of this problem, continuous and sustainable coastal monitoring actions and studies are required. Knowledge of the response of littoral areas (especially sandy coasts and barriers) against the variety of forcing factors and processes driving their morphological change is crucial to ultimately analyse their evolution in the short, medium, and long terms. To address the problem of coastal evolution, analysing the possible causes of this behaviour, it is necessary to look at the relationships between beach and dune, foreshore and shoreface, as well as the analysis of the changes produced in the sediment balance, either due to changes in the basins or either by interventions on the coast that have modified transport patterns. These impacts have to be compared with the changes that are taking place in oceanographic conditions due to climate change, rising sea levels and changes in the intensity and frequency of storms, as well as changes in incident wave patterns. The comparison between the magnitude of the changes that are being registered in the world coasts with the magnitude of the changes in the conditions and interrelations previously mentioned, will allow to identify which are the factors that are really controlling the evolution.
The main objective of this special issue will be to compile cases of erosion and coastal retreat on a global scale resulting in increased exposure, where possible causes of both local and global character are analysed. This will make it possible to put in context what are currently the most widespread problems that put our coasts at risk. In this sense, it will also be interesting to analyse the measures that may already be implemented as well as identify possible measures to promote. The experience in managing these problems at a local or regional scale may be extrapolated to other parts of the globe. In this sense, the works may be focused on:
- Relations between the dune beach and the dune foot retreat. Causes and effect
- Long-term erosion of different kind of shores
- Nature-based solutions
- Long-term management plans aimed at mitigating setbacks
Coastal areas are one of the most dynamic environments existing on Earth, affected by diverse continental and marine processes (such as waves, tides, ocean currents, wind, and river discharges) interacting at different temporal and spatial scales. Furthermore, they are particularly vulnerable to impacts related to climate change, namely sea-level rise and the increase in the magnitude and/or frequency of storms. On the other hand, these areas host the development of human activities such as industry, transport, tourism, and recreation. Due to this intensive exploitation and the increased percentage of populations in coastal regions, their resilience has been extremely compromised. All these interactions result in increased exposure that often has serious consequences on coasts globally.
In order to know the magnitude of this problem, continuous and sustainable coastal monitoring actions and studies are required. Knowledge of the response of littoral areas (especially sandy coasts and barriers) against the variety of forcing factors and processes driving their morphological change is crucial to ultimately analyse their evolution in the short, medium, and long terms. To address the problem of coastal evolution, analysing the possible causes of this behaviour, it is necessary to look at the relationships between beach and dune, foreshore and shoreface, as well as the analysis of the changes produced in the sediment balance, either due to changes in the basins or either by interventions on the coast that have modified transport patterns. These impacts have to be compared with the changes that are taking place in oceanographic conditions due to climate change, rising sea levels and changes in the intensity and frequency of storms, as well as changes in incident wave patterns. The comparison between the magnitude of the changes that are being registered in the world coasts with the magnitude of the changes in the conditions and interrelations previously mentioned, will allow to identify which are the factors that are really controlling the evolution.
The main objective of this special issue will be to compile cases of erosion and coastal retreat on a global scale resulting in increased exposure, where possible causes of both local and global character are analysed. This will make it possible to put in context what are currently the most widespread problems that put our coasts at risk. In this sense, it will also be interesting to analyse the measures that may already be implemented as well as identify possible measures to promote. The experience in managing these problems at a local or regional scale may be extrapolated to other parts of the globe. In this sense, the works may be focused on:
- Relations between the dune beach and the dune foot retreat. Causes and effect
- Long-term erosion of different kind of shores
- Nature-based solutions
- Long-term management plans aimed at mitigating setbacks
