Analysis of a large shoreline database (from 1878 to 2017) and recompilation of information on type/age of shore protection structures along the Northern Tuscany, allowed a deep insight of the progressive armouring of this coastal sector. The area experienced beach erosion since the end of the 19th century due to reduced sediment inputs from rivers and harbour constructions. Shore protection structures started to develop at the beginning of the 20th century, first to protect settlements and coastal roads, later to maintain a beach for tourist activity. The changing of the goal and the increasing awareness of the negative impact of some structures resulted in an evolution of coastal defence projects: initially, seawalls and revetments, later detached breakwaters and, more recently, groins. Today, a reduction in hard structures is perceived by removing or lowering detached breakwaters and groins below mean sea level. The forcing function of the growing tourism industry is producing a demand for projects and their design is detailed in this paper: results will be of use in the correct design of a long-term, general, erosion management plan to restore the natural sediment circulation patterns.

This paper presents the results of a study carried out to support the Region of Tuscany Coastal Sediment Management Plan, with the main aim of establishing the sediment budget considering the time span from 1981–1985 to 2005 for the 56 coastal sectors into which the 215 km-long continental sandy coast of Tuscany (Italy) was divided. The sand stability (according to a stability index) and colour compatibility (according to the CIEL*a*b* colour space with an acceptability range conforming to national guidelines) were determined in order to assess the possibility of using the available sediment in accreting sectors to nourish the beach in eroding areas. Only in two cases—i.e., the updrift of a harbour (at Viareggio) and in a convergence zone (at Marina di Pietrasanta)—are the volumes of sufficient magnitude to support a large nourishment project; however, the mean sand size is too small to guarantee efficient nourishment, even with medium-term stability. In contrast, the colour difference, in most of the cases, was shown to be acceptable. Other small sediment stocks, suitable for colour but not for grain size, can be used for periodic ephemeral nourishment works to support seasonal tourist activities. The limited resources available make it necessary to adopt a plan for their optimal use from a regional perspective. This kind of study is of great interest for the proposal of sound management actions to counteract the increasing erosion processes linked to climate change phenomena and human effects on rivers and coastal systems.

The main aim of this paper is to analyze the development of the railway network in Sicily (Italy), where it runs close to the sea on two of the three sides of the island, and give an overview of the related impacts on coastal environment and tourism. In order to achieve such an objective, the impacts of the railway network were analyzed according to coastal typology (distinguishing between rocky and sandy coastal sectors) and distance from the shoreline (dividing distance values in concrete intervals). Rails were mostly emplaced in flat coastal areas due to the island’s rugged terrain: out of 1592 km of railway, ca. 350 km is located less than 1000 m from the shoreline (123 km on rocky sectors and 227 km on beaches and coastal plains). On sandy beaches and low sandy coastal sectors, approximately 6 km of track is within 25 m from the shoreline, a value rising to 16 km if a 50 m distance is considered, 48 km at 100 m and 103 km at 200 m distance. In correspondence of rocky platforms and high cliffed sectors, data reported for short distances between the rail and the shore are similar to ones observed along sandy coastal sectors, but differ when distance increases, i.e., there is only 32 and 47 km of railway respectively within 100 and 200 m from the shoreline. The emplacement of the railway embankment on beaches and dunes favored coastal squeeze and enhanced coastal erosion due to wave reflection on the embankment, which had to be protected by hard structures. Impacts on rocky sectors, with respect to beach and dune systems, are generally low because such sectors are usually stable (they do not need to be protected), less attractive to tourists and present small urban development. Tourism was affected by reducing landscape quality, beach access and width. More detailed studies and monitoring programs are necessary to locally assess the detailed impacts of the railway network, with this study constituting a preliminary but useful approximation to determine which coastal sectors are potentially the most affected. Results obtained in this paper can stimulate similar researches in other countries to prevent or decrease railway impacts on “Sun, Sea and Sand” tourism and, in general, on the coastal environment.

Sand colour can give important information about mineral composition and, consequently, sediment source areas and input systems. Beach appearance, which is mostly linked to sand colour, has a relevant economic function in tourist areas. In this paper, the colour of 66 sand samples, collected along both natural and nourished beaches in the western Mediterranean coast of Spain, were assessed in CIEL*a*b* 1976 colour space. The obtained results showed relevant differences between natural and artificially nourished beaches. The colour of many nourished beaches generally differs from the native one because the origin of the injected sand is different. The native sand colour coordinates’ range is: L* (40.16–63.71); a* (−1.47–6.40); b* (7.48–18.06). On the contrary, for nourished beaches’ the colour range is: L* (47.66–70.75); a*(0.72‒5.16); b* (5.82–18.82). Impacts of beach nourishment on the native sand colour were studied at San Juan beach, the most popular one along the study area. Nourishment works were performed after severe erosion, usually linked to anthropic activities/structures and storm events, but also to increase beach width and hence benefit tourism.