Coastline evolution of the Portuguese south eastern coast: a high-resolution approach in a 65 years’ time-window

The coast, as the interface between land and sea, is a highly dynamic area, endangered by erosion flooding, particularly at times of sea-level rise. At present context climate change, use scientific knowledge to understand coastal dynamics evolution assessment through time essential find suitable management response for successful adaptive governance. It proposed that obtained high-resolution long-term coastline change dataset crucial importance improve on mesoscale Portuguese south-eastern from Ancão Vila Real de Santo António (VRSA), 55 km long stretch. evolutionary trend, 1950 2015, points general seaward progradation western (Barreta island) eastern (Cacela peninsula – VRSA) sectors, mostly an erosional trend central barrier island system (Culatra, Tavira Cabanas islands). Moreover, considerable average landward displacement approximately 130 m observed island. Regarding overall movement, prevails, with prograding occupying 54% studied sector even though this associated human intervention coast. exception Manta Rota - Monte Gordo where accumulation likely related natural processes. Considering significant influence man-made interventions have had evolution, it believed pattern would point in islands progradational VRSA beach.