Shoreline Dynamics and Beach Erosion

Coasts are highly dynamic and geomorphologic complex systems that evolve under the increasing pressure of climate change and anthropogenic activities, having direct or indirect impacts on the coastal environment. Among the major adverse effects, coastal erosion represents one of the most pressing global issues, especially in flat and low-lying coastal areas that appear to be particularly susceptible to beach erosion and related shoreline retreat. This Special Issue collects a set of twelve papers on Shoreline Dynamics and Beach Erosion. Of course, this collection of papers does not cover all the broad number of topics concerning the dynamics and spatial-temporal evolution of shorelines and beach systems, but, in our opinion, they contribute to the growing body of knowledge. Coastal systems of variable complexity located in different geographic and climatic contexts are investigated from various points of view by using multi- and interdisciplinary approaches, as well as new experimental ones. The major topics covered concern the morphodynamics and hydrodynamics of coastal systems, the driving factors of coastal erosion, and the use of models/indexes to study coastal vulnerability and the mitigation of human/natural pressures affecting coastal ecosystems.

Automated summary

Coastal erosion is a pressing global issue, especially in flat and low-lying coastal areas. This Special Issue collects twelve papers on Shoreline Dynamics and Beach Erosion, covering topics such as the morphodynamics and hydrodynamics of coastal systems, driving factors of coastal erosion, and the use of models/indexes to study coastal vulnerability and mitigate human/natural pressures affecting coastal ecosystems.