GNSS real-time techniques and UAV photogrammetry can be alternative methods for the monitoring of sand beaches. This activity is particularly important in environments such as the Emilia-Romagna coastline. In this paper, two couples of surveys (year 2019 and 2020) performed using GNSS or a low-cost UAV equipment over a common area were compared in order to analyse: point-wise height differences, profile shapes along defined sections, and volumes variations over time. Both surveys were aligned to the same reference benchmark through GNSS measurements. The highest discrepancies between the two surveying methods (tens of cm) were found in vegetated areas and along the shoreline, otherwise, the height differences are mainly within the 10 cm level. In terms of volumes, excluding the most critical areas, differences close to zero can be found. Obtained results show that GNSS and UAV photogrammetry provides similar results, at least for quite flat terrains and when decimetre-level accuracy is required.

The coastal area at Riccione, in the southern Emilia-Romagna littoral region, is exposed to erosive processes, which are expected to be enhanced by climate change. The beach, mostly composed of fine sand, is maintained through various defense strategies, including frequent nourishment interventions for balancing the sediment deficit and other experimental solutions for reducing coastal erosion. Artificial reshaping of the beach and “common practices” in the sediment management redefine the beach morphology and the sediment redistribution almost continuously. These activities overlap each other and with the coastal dynamics, and this makes it very difficult to evaluate their effectiveness, as well as the role of natural processes on the beach morphological evolution. Topo-bathymetric and sedimentological monitoring of the beach has been carried out on a regular basis since 2000 by the Regional Agency for Prevention, Environment and Energy of Emilia-Romagna (Arpae). Further monitoring of the emerged and submerged beach has been carried out in 2019–2021 in the framework of the research project STIMARE, focusing on innovative strategies for coastal monitoring in relation with erosion risk. The aim of this study is to assess the coastal behavior at the interannual/seasonal scale in the southern coastal stretch of Riccione, where the adopted coastal defense strategies and management actions mostly control the morphological variations in the emerged and submerged beach besides the wave and current regime. The topo-bathymetric variations and erosion/accretion patterns provided by multitemporal monitoring have been related to natural processes and to anthropogenic activities. The morphological variations have been also assessed in volumetric terms in the different subzones of the beach, with the aim of better understanding the onshore/offshore sediment exchange in relation with nourishments and in the presence of protection structures. The effectiveness of the adopted interventions to combat erosion, and to cope with future climate change-related impacts, appears not fully successful in the presence of an overall sediment deficit at the coast. This demonstrates the need for repeated monitoring of the emerged and submerged beach in such a critical setting.

Among low-lying sandy coasts, where erosion represents a major challenge, artificial beach nourishment is widely used as a mitigation strategy. This study investigates the long-term morphological evolution of Lido di Dante beach in northern Emilia-Romagna, Italy, where three regional nourishment interventions (Progettoni 2, 3, and 4) were carried out between 2007 and 2025. The dataset comprises twelve topo-bathymetric surveys covering the complete monitoring sequences (PRE, POST, M1, and M2). Sediment budgets, DEMs of Difference, cross-shore profiles, and beach slopes were analysed within three sectors (I, II, and III) characterized by different coastal-defence configurations. All interventions produced marked beach widening, with local elevation increases. However, substantial sediment redistribution occurred during the subsequent monitoring phases. During POST–M1, losses relative to the supplied volumes were 12% and 82% in Sectors I and II after P2 (Sector III was not nourished), 62%, 99%, and over 100% after P3, and 3%, 45%, and 43% after P4. These results indicate a spatially heterogeneous response associated with nourishment distribution, coastal-defence configuration, and local morphodynamic conditions. The recurring post-nourishment losses demonstrate that sediment placement in this area produces substantial short-term recovery without ensuring long-term stability, thus supporting the need for repeated interventions and accurate multi-temporal topo-bathymetric monitoring.

The natural reserve in Sacca di Bellocchio, Lido di Spina (Italy) is affected by frequent marine floods and intense erosive phenomena which threaten the freshwater ecosystem and biodiversity at the site. Floods and erosion are linked to the reduction of river sediment transport and a progressive ground subsidence and sea level rise. The persistence of these conditions and the future rise in sea level can expose neighboring anthropized areas to coastal risk.This work presents the project of a nature-based solution (NBS) as a possible defense and mitigation action against coastal erosion and marine flooding along the Bellocchio beach. The NBS has been newly designed   within the European project H2020 OPERANDUM (OPEn-air laboRAtories for Nature baseD solutions to Manage Environmental risk) and consists of an artificial sand dune made of natural materials, such as sand, wood, geotextiles and geomembranes through naturalistic engineering techniques. On the new dune will then be inserted native herbaceous and shrubby vegetation. The dune design was supported by an accurate hydro-morphodynamic modeling of the site combined with data concerning the morphological structure, the erosive dynamics and the local climate.This study discusses in detail the modeling techniques and the monitoring system that guided the design of the dune and that constitute a basis for the assessment of performance and effectiveness of any future NBS intervention at the site. The monitoring campaign is still ongoing and allows the collection of critical and updated information on the impacts of coastal storms, storm surges and flood events in the area. The dataset clearly highlights that the site morphology is constantly changing due to a multitude of factors, such as seasonality, the increasing incidence and/or intensity of coastal storms, sea level rise, etc. These rapid, and sometimes drastic, morphological changes pose a substantial challenge to NBS's design and, most importantly, to its deployment planning and timing phase. 

Among low-lying sandy coasts, where erosion represents a major challenge, artificial beach nourishment is extensively used as mitigation strategy. This study investigates the long-term morphological evolution of Lido di Dante beach (Northern Emilia-Romagna, Italy), a highly subsiding and erosion-prone coastal sector characterized by different configurations of rigid defence structures. The analysis is based on 12 multi-temporal topo-bathymetric survey datasets acquired between 2007 and 2025, covering the complete monitoring sequences of three regional nourishment interventions (Progettone 2, 3, 4). An integrated methodological approach combining sediment budget calculations, shoreline evolution analysis, cross-shore profile assessment, and beach slope evaluation was applied to characterize the morphological response of the nourished system. Results show a consistent post-nourishment response among the three interventions, with effective beach recovery followed by sediment redistribution from the subaerial and intertidal zones towards the nearshore. However, the morphological evolution showed marked spatial variability, reflecting the influence of coastal defence structures on sediment redistribution pathways. The findings highlight the need for repeated nourishment interventions to maintain long-term beach stability at Lido di Dante. Furthermore, the study demonstrates the importance of accurate long-term topo-bathymetric monitoring for evaluating nourishment performance and supporting adaptive coastal management strategies in complex coastal environments.