La degradación de dunas litorales en Andalucía: aproximación geohistórica y multiescalar

Coastal dune degradation in Andalusia: a spatiotemporal and multiscale approach Since the middle of the last century the coasts of Andalusia have undergone a process of rapid urbanization as a major social factor, which has caused −and is now causing− environmental and landscape degradation that has been especially prevalent in dune ecosystems. Coastal dunes, fragile by nature, in spite of representing a strategic natural heritage, as well as having high eco-cultural and socioeconomic value, have suffered serious damage that has not been quantified or georeferenced up to the present time. In order to ascertain the magnitude of these changes, this study presents a geohistorical and multiscale analysis, based on photo interpretation and mapping: first identified, at regional level, sand dunes that have been lost surface area, and evidence that Andalusia has lost 1/3 of foredune systems over the last six decades. Secondly, analyzed a local case of a threatened dune, which is paradigmatic and may be extended to the rest of the Spanish coastline.