Examining the dynamic functioning of coasts from the nearshore through to inland dune systems is a fundamental requirement in understanding their short- to long-term behaviour. Operating across large spatial and temporal scales, adequate understanding of their resulting landforms is difficult and complex. Recent methodological advances however, now enable traditionally isolated coastal disciplines to be examined across various zones, promoting integration across multiple time and space scales and helping to couple processes with landform responses.
At the coast, dunes provide a physical barrier to flooding during high energy storms, while beaches and nearshore areas help dissipate storm impact through a series of dynamic interactions involving sediment transfers and sometimes rapid morphological changes. Therefore, the investigation of complex interactions between these three interconnected systems has become essential for the understanding, analysis and ultimately, the management of our coasts.
This session welcomes contributions from coastal scientists interested in the measurement and modelling of coastal morphodynamics in the three sub-units at various spatial and temporal scales. Merging these zones into the larger nearshore-beach-dune system is a long sought after goal in coastal sciences.
This session will therefore highlight the latest developments in our understanding of this part of the planet's geomorphic system and will facilitate knowledge exchange and linkages between the submerged and sub-aerial zones.

Solicited talks will be given by Chris Houser (Canada) and Troels Aagaard (Denmark).