The General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union brings together Earth science experts to present research and foster collaboration, with a special focus on young researchers.
Date:
Event location: Vienna, Austria & Online
X3.38| EGU26-18634 |ECS
Regine Anne Faelga, Carlotta Carlini, Sonia Silvestri, Massimo Ponti, and Beatrice Maria Sole Giambastiani and the LIFE NatuReef Project
Coastal dune systems play a key role in coastal environments, acting both as natural barriers against marine processes and as freshwater storage reservoirs. These systems are dynamic, making assessment and long-term monitoring of geomorphological changes essential for coastal management. The study investigates the evolution of a coastal dune system from the 1970s to the present day through a multi-temporal and multi-source analysis. The study performed a comparative analysis by extracting key coastal geomorphological features (e.g., dune crest lines, dune foot boundaries, shoreline, and lateral dune extension) from historical cartographic data, orthophotographs, and digital terrain models (DEMs). The methodology integrates photogrammetry, digital elevation modeling, and GIS-based techniques to quantify spatiotemporal changes in dune geometry. Results show progressive dune retrogradation, accompanied by a significant decrease in dune extent and elevation, indicating a condition of coastal erosion. These changes are consistent with a decrease in the potential freshwater storage capacity of the coastal aquifer and an increased vulnerability to saltwater intrusion. The study area is located along the southern coast of Ravenna (Italy) and is conducted within the framework of the LIFE NatuReef project. The analyzed dune system represents a unique protected remains within a highly urbanized and tourist coastal context, highlighting its ecological relevance and vulnerability.
How to cite:
Faelga, R. A., Carlini, C., Silvestri, S., Ponti, M., and Giambastiani, B. M. S. and the LIFE NatuReef Project: Spatiotemporal analysis of coastal dune features and implications for groundwater resource using an orthophoto-based approach, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-18634, 2026.
