A baseline study of dune stability along the sandy littoral between Marina di Alberese and the eastward protrusion of I Monti dell' Uccellina, Tuscany, Italy

Abstract

Sand dunes are considered to act as a buffer zone within a coastal system. Within the Maremma shoreline one finds sand dunes which are composed of a different degree of stability. Using a satellite image obtained from Worldview 1 certain vegetation species which are found on these sand dunes were vectorised onto GIS (ArcMap 10.1). This study focuses on those vegetation species which contribute to sand dune formation and stability. Such vegetation species include Elytrigia juncea, Ammophila arenaria, Junipers and Pine trees. Six circular areas composed of a 150 metre radius within the shoreline were considered for the study. Coordinates of areas were obtained from Prof Micallef’s unpublished study regarding the beach profile within the Maremma shoreline. These areas were referred to as stations starting from 1 situated closest to the river Ombrone delta, then 3, 4, 5, 6 situated along the Maremma shoreline and station 7 situated at the end of the shoreline (there is no station 2 since this station’s coordinates are found very close to station 1). The Output data of this study include Kernel density GIS maps and the studied vegetation graphs for each station. By analysing and interpreting this output data it was possible to conclude the state of sand dune stability along the Maremma shoreline. It was deduced that stations 1, 3 and 7 are composed of stable sand dunes very close to the shoreline however the sand dune systems within these areas are under threat from erosion especially station 1. Station 4 and 5 are composed of stable sand dunes situated further inland than station 1, 3 and 7, however station 4 and 5 are composed of an accreting dune system. Station 6 is also composed of stable sand dunes, however these only occur within a small area since there is a marshland environment dominating the station. The dune system within station 6 is also composed of an accreting dune system however the area suffers from erosion during storm surges.