Coastal erosion and its impacts on the involved communities is a topic of great scientific interest that also reflects the need for modern as well as cost and time-effective methodologies to be integrated into or even to substitute traditional investigation methods. The present study is based on an integrated approach that involves the use of data derived from UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) surveys. The study illustrates the long- to short-term shoreline evolution of the Molise coast (southern Italy) and then focuses on two selected beach stretches (Petacciato and Campomarino beaches), for which annual UAV surveys were performed from 2019 to 2021, to assess their most recent shoreline and morpho-topographical changes and related effects on their coastal vulnerability. UAV data were processed using the Structure from Motion (SfM) image processing tool. Along the beach profiles derived from the produced DEMs, the coastal vulnerability of the selected beach stretches was evaluated by using the Coastal Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) approach. The results obtained highlight some significant worsening of CVA indexes from 2019 to 2021, especially for the Campomarino beach, confirming the importance of the periodic updating of previous data. In conclusion, the easy use of the UAV technology and the good quality of the derived data make it an excellent approach for integration into traditional methodologies for the assessment of short-term shoreline and beach changes as well as for monitoring coastal vulnerability.

A field assessment was carried out in May 2023 in a natural protected area in South Italy to investigate the real-time behavior and fate of common marine litter items at different depths at the nearshore and foreshore under low energetic conditions. The field data were also compared with theoretical values calculated using theoretical formulations considering the Stokes drift current, wind-induced current, and current at breaking position. The wind approached from N to W, with values ranging from 2.4 to 3.8 m/s. The propagated significant wave height ranged from 14 to 21 cm, with an associated period of 3 s. Items with a positive buoyancy recorded different velocities. Very protruding (above water surface) items were greatly affected by windage and recorded velocities from 0.23 to 0.33 m/s; higher than the theoretical values that do not take into account windage. Theoretical values correctly predicted the velocity of other less-protruding items but slightly underestimated the velocity of neutral buoyancy items, evidencing in both cases the low relevance of the Stokes drift current. Items with a negative buoyancy moved (or not) in the bottom with different velocities. Different behaviors were observed at the breaking point, where items surfed (or not) spilling breaking waves, and at the foreshore, where items moved along the plunge step or in a “zig–zag” movement due to a swash–backwash process.

Beach litter (BL) poses a significant threat to coastal ecosystems and marine biodiversity. Monitoring its density, composition, and distribution is crucial to develop effective management strategies and support the sustainable use of the beach environments. Traditional in situ visual surveys allow detailed identification and classification of BL items but are often limited in spatial coverage and require significant time investment. Recent advancements, including the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), have enabled more efficient assessments of coastal litter and related geomorphological features.This study investigates the characteristics and distribution of BL and its relationship with coastal morphodynamics along two unmanaged beaches located along the Molise coast (southern Italy): Petacciato and Ramitelli beaches. These sites were selected based on their distinct morphodynamic characteristics, and their free beach status.The monitoring methodology considered international guidelines [1, 2]. UAV surveys were conducted before and after a significant storm event to assess its impact not only on beach morphology but also on BL distribution. Flights were carried out with a Yuneec Typhoon H520 hexacopter using a flight height of 15 meters [2]. High-resolution orthophotos were analysed to manually identify BL larger than 2.5 cm and classify them according to the Joint List for Marine Macrolitter Monitoring [2]. Items were categorized by material type, size, and weight, and unusual objects were documented in detail. Shoreline and dune foot variations along with morphological changes of the beach were also quantified to evaluate the role of coastal processes in BL dispersion and accumulation patterns.First results reveal significant differences in BL density and composition between the two study sites, but with plastic materials dominating both the collected items, consistent with broader Mediterranean trends [3]. The post-storm survey highlighted the role of weather events in redistributing litter, particularly at the southern limit of the Ramitelli beach which is in contact with the jetty of the Saccione River mouth that drives the accumulation of beach litter on the adjacent shoreline. This study underscores the importance of integrating UAV-based monitoring with geomorphological analyses to better understand the interplay between coastal dynamics and BL distribution. The monitoring of these relationships can provide essential data to support and improve coastal management and design targeted beach clean-up strategies. Key WordsRemote Sensing, Coastal monitoring, Coastal geomorphology, UAV images, Visual assessment, Litter beach analysis. [1] Vlachogianni T. (2017) - Methodology for Monitoring Marine Litter on Beaches. Macro-Debris (> 2.5 cm). DeFishGear, 1-16.[2] Fleet D., Vlachogianni T. & Hanke G. [Eds] (2021) - A joint list of litter categories for marine macrolitter monitoring. JRC Technical Reports, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 30348, 52.[3] Rizzo A., Sozio A., Anfuso G., La Salandra M., Sasso C. (2022) – The use of UAV images to assess preliminary relationships between spatial litter distribution and beach morphodynamic trends: the case study of Torre Guaceto beach (Apulia Region, Southern Italy). Geogr. Fis. Dinam. Quat. 45 (2022). 237-250.

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.To deepen the understanding of the potential future development of a sandy coast, therefore better outline sustainable coastal management measures, the reconstruction of its geomorphological and anthropogenic evolution, current state and possible future trends are of crucial importance. For this purpose, we have examined the coast of Molise region in Italy, which is prevailingly made of sandy shorelines and characterized by widespread anthropogenic impact mostly due to tourism and the presence of hard defense structures.The Molise coast has experienced intense erosion since the 1950s that caused a land loss of nearly 1 km2 and primarily struck the coastal sectors including major river mouths (Trigno and Biferno) where shorelines retreated up to 400 m during approximately the last 65 years [1]. To counteract ongoing shoreline retreat, hard defense structures, mainly adherent and detached breakwaters, and groins, were built over time. Nevertheless, erosion partly further accelerated it pace over the last decades, and involved increasingly coastal stretches located south of the Trigno and Biferno mouth sectors [1, 2]. Concerning furthermore the susceptibility to coastal flooding, first evaluations based on sea-level projection SSP5-8.5 performed for the southern Molise coast have highlighted that approximately 1.32 km2 (5%) of it could be subject in the near future (year 2050) to permanent flooding [2].Since 2016, remote sensing activities and modellings are integrated by periodical, partial annual monitoring campaigns. Field measurements mostly concern shoreline positions, sedimentary and topographical-morphological features of dune fronts, backshore/foreshore zones, and morpho-bathymetric features of the beach extending up to the closing depth, allowing their large-scale documentation and data update. Especially recent drone survey campaigns (2019-2021) along strategic/critical coast stretches [3] allowed for the rapid creation of digital terrain models, and the assessment of recent morpho-topographic beach and shoreline changes. The set of validated field survey methodologies, along with the campaigns planned for the near future, represent the monitoring plan outlined for the Molise coast for defining future action strategies aimed at supporting its sustainable development and mitigating the effects of ongoing climate changes. Key wordsBeach erosion, coastal monitoring, climate change[1] Rosskopf C.M., Di Paola G., Atkinson D.E., Rodríguez G., Walker I.J. (2018) Recent shoreline evolution and beach erosion along the central Adriatic coast of Italy: The case of Molise region. Journal of Coastal Conservation, 22, 879–895.[2] Di Paola G., Valente E., Caporizzo C., Cozzolino M., Rosskopf C.M. (2023) Holocene to near-future evolution of the southern Molise coast (Central Adriatic, Italy) under the influence of natural and anthropogenic controls, Journal of Maps, 19:1, 2243973.[3] Di Paola G., Minervino Amodio A., Dilauro G, Rodriguez G., Rosskopf C.M. (2022) Shoreline Evolution and Erosion Vulnerability Assessment along the Central Adriatic Coast with the Contribution of UAV Beach Monitoring. Geosciences, 12, 353.

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. Therefore we have examined the coast of the Molise 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 monitored. Field measurements mainly concerned shoreline and dune front positions along with sedimentary and morpho-topographic features of the backshore/foreshore zones and the submerged beach up to the closure depth. Drone survey campaigns in 2019-24, carried out the creation of digital terrain models and detailed 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 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