Coastal Monitoring Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for the Management of the Spanish Mediterranean Coast: The Case of Almenara-Sagunto

The concentration of the world’s population in coastal areas means an increase in pressure on the environment and coastal ecosystems. The impacts of climate change affect natural biophysical and ecological systems and human health. Research has been developed to create coastal monitoring with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) that allow data to be obtained and methodologies that integrate computer vision algorithms for 3D and image processing techniques for analysis, combined with maritime information. The Valencian oval is located on the Spanish Mediterranean coast and registers significant coastal erosion. It is a densely populated area, with high economic relevance and tourist activity. The main goals of the developed research in this coastal area include creating a methodology of data collection that identifies environmental indicators significant to community health and uses in the coastal areas, to test progression of interventions and to assess coastal erosion detection and monitoring. The final objective is to aid in decision-making and coastal management. Sediment characterization was obtained, and continuous maritime information was collected. The dynamic evolution of coastal areas was researched by using UAVs on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. This technique is suitable for measuring medium to small coastal changes. Flight planning was carried out using the grid mode and adapted to areas in order to obtain a homogeneous pixel size and precision. This monitoring program takes advantage of technological development with very low economic costs and is a good tool for making decisions that must be based on scientific information. With the monitoring work, an annual erosion between 12 and 6 m was detected. The monitoring program has evidenced the shoreline trend as a result of the impact of rigid structures, mainly ports and groins, in promoting down-drift erosion processes in the area.