Evaluating coastal dynamics and stability from both geological and biological indicators

The coastal zone is a dynamic system permanently under intense pressures, including both natural and anthropic disturbance factors. There are different natural forcing factors on coastal systems, related to coastal processes, relative sea level, sedimentary budget and climate, all of them inducing changes in landscape and their landforms. Thus, natural dynamics of sand-dune systems, nowadays amplified by human influences, is a crucial aspect concerning coastal conservation and management.