ASSESSMENT OF COASTAL RESTORATION MEASURES TO MITIGATE COASTAL FLOODING IN A CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE: THE CASE OF THE SOUTH-EAST OF SICILY LAGOONS

The South-East of Sicily is characterized by a complex system of coastal lagoons. The site, is considered of great naturalistic value, as it hosts a rich biodiversity and represents an important stop for bird species that migrates through the Northern European-African route. Moreover, the site is subject to an ever-increasing climate related coastal erosion and flooding risk, with an estimated potential land loss of 6.2 km2 by 2100. In the present work, the effectiveness of a dune revegetation is investigated, in order to understand the role played by environmental restoration in reducing coastal risks in context of climate change. The restoration intervention was assessed by the use of a hydro-morphodynamic model, to simulate extreme wave conditions and sea level rise of climate projections and present conditions. The results showed that the presence of the revegetated dune can determine a reduction of flooded areas up to 42%. It is important to continue studying the effects of other Nature-based solutions and consider other factors such as sediment transport in order to fully understand its effectiveness as a coastal protection measure. It is also important to consider the long-term sustainability of the dune strip, including its maintenance and potential impacts on the surrounding ecosystem.