Assessment of coastal dune restoration viability in the Veneto Region (Northeastern Italy)

Abstract

Coastal environments around the world have been severely degraded by human activities, especially in the last century. This has resulted in serious structural and functional damage to the ecosystems of these transitional areas, which are as dynamic as they are fragile, and in a net loss of crucial ecosystem services, especially in the face of climate change threats. The implementation of sustainable coastal management measures or actions to restore degraded ecosystems are urgently needed. In this context, we revised and used several indices regarding geomorphology, biology, and ecology of dune systems along the Venetian coast to define the current conservation status and assess the viability of coastal dune restoration actions along the entire coast. The application of indices provided important indications on the sites and the actions to be taken to improve the functionality of the dune systems. Moreover, the indices provided useful insights to implement management strategies aimed at ensuring the current and future supply of ecosystem services from coastal ecosystems and to promote their sustainable use along the entire Venetian coast.