Monitoring beach erosion along the Central Adriatic coast: the case study of Molise Region

Coastal areas characterized by sandy shorelines are among the most dynamic environments and subject to deep and rapid changes over time under the influence of natural and anthropic factors. Therefore, reconstructing the geomorphological and anthropogenic evolution, current state and possible near-future trends of a sandy beach is essential for deepening the understanding of its potential future development and better outlining measures for its sustainable management. For this purpose, we have examined the coast of the Molise region in Italy, which is predominantly made of sandy shorelines and characterized by widespread anthropogenic impact mainly due to tourism and the presence of hard defense structures. This coastline has been continuously and differentially monitored using increasingly modern and efficient approaches and tools over time. We began in the late nineties with traditional topographic instruments and later transitioned to high-precision tools such as GNSS and drones. Field measurements mainly concerned shoreline and dune front positions along with sedimentary and morpho-topographic features of both the backshore/foreshore zones and the submerged beach up to the closure depth, allowing for their large-scale analysis and data updating over time. More recently, drone survey campaigns, carried out along strategic or critical coastal stretches between 2019 and 2024, allowing for the rapid creation of digital terrain models and detailed and punctual evaluations of recent morpho-topographic changes of the beach-dune systems. The combination of all validated field survey methodologies, along with the planned campaigns for the near future, represent the monitoring plan outlined for the Molise coast aimed at defining future action strategies to support its sustainable development and the mitigation of the effects associated with the ongoing climate change.