An Airborne Lidar-Based 15-Year Study of Dune Reconstruction and Overwash Formation in a Microtidal and Fetch Limited Environment

This paper examines the long-term morphological evolution of the Bevano River sand spit (Ravenna, Italy) after an artificial intervention carried out in 2006 that artificially relocated the river mouth to improve the hydraulic efficiency, preventing flooding and reconstructing a local dune system. U...

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Main Authors: Clara Armaroli, Riccardo Brunetta, Paolo Ciavola
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Remote Sensing
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/6/1072
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author Clara Armaroli
Riccardo Brunetta
Paolo Ciavola
author_facet Clara Armaroli
Riccardo Brunetta
Paolo Ciavola
author_sort Clara Armaroli
collection DOAJ
description This paper examines the long-term morphological evolution of the Bevano River sand spit (Ravenna, Italy) after an artificial intervention carried out in 2006 that artificially relocated the river mouth to improve the hydraulic efficiency, preventing flooding and reconstructing a local dune system. Using multitemporal Lidar data (2004–2019), combined with orthophotos and a storm dataset, this study analysed shoreline changes and morphological variations, highlighting the role of overwash processes in sediment transfer from the dunes to back-barrier areas. Based on the analysis, a set of washover fans was identified that began to form after a storm event in 2008 and accreted until 2015. These fans, which later coalesced into terraces and were colonised by vegetation, became stable after 2015. Despite an initial low resilience, due to insufficient nourishment and slow vegetation development, the barrier system eventually stabilised, with dunes growing higher and forming a continuous dune crest. The study illustrates the role of surge levels, waves, and low initial elevation in triggering and shaping overwash processes.
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spelling doaj-art-b644b2a657044a7f971aaffa1edcfd222025-08-20T02:43:02ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922025-03-01176107210.3390/rs17061072An Airborne Lidar-Based 15-Year Study of Dune Reconstruction and Overwash Formation in a Microtidal and Fetch Limited EnvironmentClara Armaroli0Riccardo Brunetta1Paolo Ciavola2Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences—BIGEA, University of Bologna Alma Mater Studiorum, Via Zamboni 67, 40126 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Physics and Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, ItalyDepartment of Physics and Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, ItalyThis paper examines the long-term morphological evolution of the Bevano River sand spit (Ravenna, Italy) after an artificial intervention carried out in 2006 that artificially relocated the river mouth to improve the hydraulic efficiency, preventing flooding and reconstructing a local dune system. Using multitemporal Lidar data (2004–2019), combined with orthophotos and a storm dataset, this study analysed shoreline changes and morphological variations, highlighting the role of overwash processes in sediment transfer from the dunes to back-barrier areas. Based on the analysis, a set of washover fans was identified that began to form after a storm event in 2008 and accreted until 2015. These fans, which later coalesced into terraces and were colonised by vegetation, became stable after 2015. Despite an initial low resilience, due to insufficient nourishment and slow vegetation development, the barrier system eventually stabilised, with dunes growing higher and forming a continuous dune crest. The study illustrates the role of surge levels, waves, and low initial elevation in triggering and shaping overwash processes.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/6/1072dune restorationwashover fansmicrotidal beachesstorm impactdune overtoppingEmilia-Romagna
spellingShingle Clara Armaroli
Riccardo Brunetta
Paolo Ciavola
An Airborne Lidar-Based 15-Year Study of Dune Reconstruction and Overwash Formation in a Microtidal and Fetch Limited Environment
Remote Sensing
dune restoration
washover fans
microtidal beaches
storm impact
dune overtopping
Emilia-Romagna
title An Airborne Lidar-Based 15-Year Study of Dune Reconstruction and Overwash Formation in a Microtidal and Fetch Limited Environment
title_full An Airborne Lidar-Based 15-Year Study of Dune Reconstruction and Overwash Formation in a Microtidal and Fetch Limited Environment
title_fullStr An Airborne Lidar-Based 15-Year Study of Dune Reconstruction and Overwash Formation in a Microtidal and Fetch Limited Environment
title_full_unstemmed An Airborne Lidar-Based 15-Year Study of Dune Reconstruction and Overwash Formation in a Microtidal and Fetch Limited Environment
title_short An Airborne Lidar-Based 15-Year Study of Dune Reconstruction and Overwash Formation in a Microtidal and Fetch Limited Environment
title_sort airborne lidar based 15 year study of dune reconstruction and overwash formation in a microtidal and fetch limited environment
topic dune restoration
washover fans
microtidal beaches
storm impact
dune overtopping
Emilia-Romagna
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/6/1072
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