Work

Satellite-based monitoring of sand dune restoration after soil bioengineering interventions in a coastal site

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Coastal dunes are fragile ecosystems vulnerable to erosion. To counteract the degradation and promote the restoration, techniques, such as soil bioengineering, are increasingly used. This study aims to provide new insights into the long-term effects of soil bioengineering works for dune erosion control by combining-field and remote monitoring actions. This study uses remote sensing techniques and NDVI to analyse the dynamics of vegetation on coastal dunes following a soil bioengineering intervention. Using images acquired from the PlanetScope and Sentinel-2 satellites, the calculated NDVI was compared with climate data recorded from a nearby meteorological station and field monitoring. The in-field monitoring campaign, consisting in the assessment of the survival rate of the planted species, was carried out from the realization of the soil bioengineering works. Data collected at the study site between 2020 and 2023 showed that shrubs and herbaceous plants in the forebay and backdune suffered from prolonged summer drought, as confirmed by analysis of climate data. However, an increase in NDVI values was observed at the study site subsequent to the soil bioengineering interventions. The analysis of the effect of the soil bioengineering techniques revealed an accumulation of sandy material upward and downward the work and the establishment of colonization processes by native species. Despite a reduction of the planted shrub species, the observed increase in NDVI values suggests an improvement in vegetation conditions in the intervention area, confirming the effectiveness of the techniques adopted. Both satellite datasets revealed consistent trends in vegetation indices, though Sentinel-2 imagery is a cost-effective option for large-scale vegetation monitoring.

Source: Journal of Coastal Conservation

DOI: 10.1007/s11852-026-01269-4

Authors: Miriam Chiarulli, Giovanni Romano, Francesco Vito Ronco, Annunziata Fiore, Giovanni Francesco Ricci, Francesco Gentile

Institution: University of Bari Aldo Moro

Language: English

Topic: Aeolian processes and effects

Subfield: Earth-Surface Processes

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Life on land, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,190