CHAPTER 37
Monitoring Coastal Morphological Changes Using Topographical
Methods, Softcopy Photogrammetry and GIS, Huelva (Andalucia,
Spain)
J. Ojeda Zújar, L. Borgniet, A.M. Pèrez Romero, and J. Loder
ABSTRACT: This chapter deals with the use of different sources of data (field surveys
with total station and GPS, aerial photographs and topographic maps) as well as their
integrated digital treatment in a GIS context to quantify the morphological changes in
a ridge of coastal dunes in the south-west of Spain. The results show very high and
incrementing rates of foredune retreat, significant losses of foredune surface and a
clear negative sedimentary balance (lowering and inland migration) in its recent
evolution (1979-1996). Two processes can explain this evolution; (i) marine erosion
and (ii) the reactivation of aeolian deflation. The combined use of GPS (code/phase)
and softcopy photogrammetry seem to provide the best for monitoring future changes.
Introduction to the Study Area
The study area chosen to test the methodology is the stretch of coastal dune ridges
between the settlements of Isla Cristina and La Antilla in the west of the province of
Huelva (SW Spain) close to the Portuguese border (Figs. 1-3). The zone investigated in
detail, approximately 700 m. long and to the west of La Antilla, was chosen for several
reasons:
(i) It is very dynamic, being wide open to the hydrodynamic impact of the Atlantic
Ocean. The average tidal range is 2.10 m (Borrego et al., 1992), a mesotidal coast
exposed to wave forces of low to medium energy (76 % of waves are less than 50 cm.
high) predominantly from the southwest. The combination of wave force and direction
of approach with the alignment of the coast produces a strong dominant littoral drift
511
D.R. Green and S.D. King (eds.), Coastal and Marine Geo-lnformation Systems, 511–524.
© 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands.
Monitoring Coastal Morphological Changes Using Topographical
Methods, Softcopy Photogrammetry and GIS, Huelva (Andalucia,
Spain)
J. Ojeda Zújar, L. Borgniet, A.M. Pèrez Romero, and J. Loder
ABSTRACT: This chapter deals with the use of different sources of data (field surveys
with total station and GPS, aerial photographs and topographic maps) as well as their
integrated digital treatment in a GIS context to quantify the morphological changes in
a ridge of coastal dunes in the south-west of Spain. The results show very high and
incrementing rates of foredune retreat, significant losses of foredune surface and a
clear negative sedimentary balance (lowering and inland migration) in its recent
evolution (1979-1996). Two processes can explain this evolution; (i) marine erosion
and (ii) the reactivation of aeolian deflation. The combined use of GPS (code/phase)
and softcopy photogrammetry seem to provide the best for monitoring future changes.
Introduction to the Study Area
The study area chosen to test the methodology is the stretch of coastal dune ridges
between the settlements of Isla Cristina and La Antilla in the west of the province of
Huelva (SW Spain) close to the Portuguese border (Figs. 1-3). The zone investigated in
detail, approximately 700 m. long and to the west of La Antilla, was chosen for several
reasons:
(i) It is very dynamic, being wide open to the hydrodynamic impact of the Atlantic
Ocean. The average tidal range is 2.10 m (Borrego et al., 1992), a mesotidal coast
exposed to wave forces of low to medium energy (76 % of waves are less than 50 cm.
high) predominantly from the southwest. The combination of wave force and direction
of approach with the alignment of the coast produces a strong dominant littoral drift
511
D.R. Green and S.D. King (eds.), Coastal and Marine Geo-lnformation Systems, 511–524.
© 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands.