Coastal erosion processes: the case study of the Cala del Cefalo beach (Cilento and Vallo di Diano Geopark, southern Italy)

The beach of Cala del Cefalo is located in the southern coast ofCilento and Vallo di Diano Geopark in Campania (southern Italy). Theresearch carried out along it show strong erosion process, with a dramaticand increased retreat of the shoreline especially in recent decades. Suchcondition highlights an obvious loss of material as well as implies anegative balance in the coastal dunes, which develop in the backshore.These forms, which also represent an important ecosystem, constitute botha defense to the ingression of the sea and a source of sediment to the beachin occurrence of winter sea waves. Therefore, in order to assess theexistence and extent of sediment flow within the beach-dune system, andeventually focus on the deficit, several approaches have been applied.Among these it has been proposed a numerical model to showing themorphological changes on the beach due to the swell or has been used. Inconclusion, suitable interventions to mitigate the retreat of the Cala delCefalo beach are indicated, even if they must take account of excellentenvironmental features and highly touristic area.