In this study, we present a comprehensive map of a microtidal wave-dominated beach system based on an interdisciplinary sea–land approach and with the purpose of supporting a sustainable and successful beach management. The study area is located in a highly urbanized/industrialized coastal sector of the W side of Cagliari Gulf (S Sardinia, W Mediterranean). In the Main Map (1:15,000 scale), static and dynamic features of the beach system and adjacent inner shelf are divided into thematic sections, including geomorphological elements, bathymetry, sedimentological distribution, benthic habitat (mainly Posidonia oceanica meadow), hydrodynamics and anthropogenic features. The map constitutes an example of multidisciplinary benchmark to allow for long-term planning and management of this highly urbanized beach system. It is able to provide a substantial scientific support to policy-makers towards environmental restoration and sustainable development.
Funding
This work was supported by: (1) Regione Autonoma Sardegna under L.R. 7/2007, ‘Promozione della ricerca scientifica e della ricerca scientifica e dell’innovazione tecnologica in Sardegna’ for NEPTUNE, BEACH and RIAS projects. (2) European Investment Bank and European Commission under LIFE programme European Union's Financial Instrument for the Environment – for SOSS DUNES project [grant number LIFE13 NAT/IT/001013] and for PROVIDUNE project [grant number LIFE07-NAT/IT/000519]. (3) European Regional Development Fund under Programme de Coopération Transfrontalière for Interreg IIIA GERER. ‘Gestion intègrèe de l’environnement à haute risque d’èrosion’ ‘Gestione ambientale integrata in località ad elevato rischio di erosione’ project. (4) Provincia Olbia-Tempio and European Regional Development Fund under Programme de Coopération Transfrontalière for Res-Mar ‘Rete per l’Ambiente nello Spazio Marittimo Sottoprogetto (B) ‘Centro transfrontaliero per lo studio della dinamica dei litorali’ project. (5) Comune di Palau under grant for Osservatorio Coste e Ambiente Sottomarino – O.C.E.A.N.S . (6) Fondazione Banco di Sardegna and Università di Cagliari under Contributo di Ateneo alla ricerca (Car) 2012–2013–2014, and under Progetti di rilevante interesse dipartimentale (Prid) 2015. (7) Fondazione Banco di Sardegna [F72F16003080002].
