Investigating Coastal Erosion Hotspots: A Multiscale Approach applied along the Basilicata Ionian coast (Southern Italy)

Accurate assessment of coastal vulnerability is crucial for effective coastal risk management, especially in the context of increasing human pressure. One common approach to evaluating coastal erosion risk involves the use of geomorphological-based indices. These indices typically combine various physical factors such as: shoreline changes with historical and recent trends in coastline movement (erosion or accretion); dune and beach geometry (slope, dune height, and width); presence and type of vegetation, which can stabilize or destabilize the coastline; coastal infrastructure. the presence and type of human-made structures, such as seawalls and groins, which can impact coastal processes. These factors are often assigned weights or ranks to create a vulnerability classification, allowing for the identification of areas at higher risk of erosion. This approach provides a valuable framework for understanding the inherent susceptibility of a coastline to erosion. However, it is important to highlight that this is a simplified representation of complex coastal processes. Geomorphological indices offer a valuable tool for initial assessments of coastal vulnerability. Nevertheless, they should be used in conjunction with other data sources and analyses to gain a more comprehensive understanding of coastal processes. This study investigates coastal vulnerability along a coastline in Basilicata, southern Italy. The region faces significant coastal erosion due to a combination of natural factors and human impacts. To assess vulnerability, the study employs a multi-scale approach based on:  i) Coastal Erosion Susceptibility Index (CESI), this index evaluates the inherent susceptibility of the coastline to erosion based on factors like shoreline changes, dune and beach geometry, and vegetation. The results identified "hotspots" – areas with the highest level of susceptibility of coastal erosion; ii) High-resolution LiDAR Surveys, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with LiDAR sensors were used to create detailed 3D models of the coastline. By comparing LiDAR data from 2013 and 2023, we quantified the extent of coastal erosion and identified specific areas of significant change. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating spatial data derived by indices with high-resolution LiDAR data for comprehensive coastal vulnerability assessment. This approach provides valuable insights for coastal managers in developing effective adaptation strategies to address the challenges posed by coastal erosion in the context of climate change and sea-level rise.

Founded by: Progetto PE 0000020 CHANGES, - CUP [B53C22003890006], Spoke 7, PNRR Missione 4 Componente 2 Investimento 1.3, finanziato dall’Unione europea – NextGenerationEU