Short-medium term assessments of coastal erosion and marine inundation effects on natural and anthropic environments (Apulia, southern Italy)

Coastal erosion and inundation are global problems. Three processes are considered, over time scales consistent with natural hazard analysis: sea level rise, changes in storm climate, human interference. Such global causes are differently evaluated by scientific communities. This report discusses the effects on environment and human activities over a time span consistent with territorial planning and resource governance. The study area is an example of Mediterranean low-lying coastal landscape. The research was conducted by dealing with some issues related to the coastline retreat (evaluation of past coastline changes, hazards assessment and prediction of coastal changes). All beaches of the study areas have undergone erosion process during the second half of the 20th century. The associated coastline retreat ranges from nearly zero values to about 20 ( 5) m. In the short term, an increase in frequency of extreme storm events may result in intense coastal erosion, severe shoreline retreat and significant coastal flooding. This involves changes on coastal ecosystems with notable consequences also from the standpoint of environmental conservation. In the mid term, the sea level rising can cause severe damages at urban and industrial areas.