Decadal evolution of coastline armouring along the Mediterranean Andalusia littoral (South of Spain)

摘要: Abstract Emplacement of hard coastal defence structures, such as seawalls, revetments, groins and breakwaters, or even ports, harbours marinas, is commonly known coastline armouring. This paper deals with armouring evolution along the 546 km Mediterranean coast Andalusia (Spain). It based on photo interpretation GIS tools, which have been employed to map structure emplacement by analysis 1956, 1977, 2001 2010 aerial photos. Additionally coefficient infrastructural impact K , represented relation between total length maritime structures study section, was obtained - i.e. minimal at 0.001 ≤  average when 0.1 ≤  maximal 0.5 ≤  extreme  ≥ 1.0. In mid 50s, zones presented a very low level most important settlements were towns associated fishing communities. The anthropogenic 11 ports few protection gave rise values ranging from “minimum” (with  = 0.07) “extreme” (  = 2.5 in 8 sectors). During 60s 70s, armoured increased 42.1 (1956) 98.2 km (in 1977). value maintained same (0.07) but affected 10 sectors. 3.6 25 above essentially linked tourism development under an laissez-faire politico-economic regime: several enlarged new marinas constructed specially Costa del Sol. Induced retreat processes counteracted progressive groin enlarge tourist beaches and/or halt erosion: 42 1 breakwater some fold increase respect 1956. Revetments seawalls occupied amount 7.6 km. Coastal occupation modalities 70s similar previous period. 98.2 182.3 km, (average: 0.09) recorded 15 sectors (average  = 4.7) 33 did not record significant improvements during 2001–2010 small increase. Approaches used beach erosion main management target, carried out increasing carrying capacity without consideration ecological environmental aspects. last decades, policies experienced changes reshaping/removal realization nourishment.