Advances in Mapping of Nearshore Bio-Geomorphology with Uncrewed Platforms

Dear Colleagues,

Nearshore environments are among the most dynamic and complex coastal systems, shaped by the interaction of hydrodynamic processes, sediment transport, and biogenic structures such as reefs, seagrass meadows, and bio-constructed landforms. These bio-geomorphological features play a critical role in coastal stability, ecosystem functioning, and nature-based solutions for erosion mitigation and habitat restoration. At the same time, nearshore zones are highly vulnerable to climate change, sea-level rise, extreme events, and increasing human pressures, requiring accurate, repeatable, and high-resolution monitoring approaches. Recent advances in remote sensing, particularly through autonomous platforms such as uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) and uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs), have transformed our ability to map and monitor nearshore features such as bedforms, reefs, and biogenic structures at unprecedented spatial and temporal scales. Emerging autonomous sensing approaches and advanced processing techniques are transforming multi-temporal monitoring of shallow-water environments by mitigating environmental constraints such as light absorption and water column effects, which have traditionally limited the mapping of submerged bio-geomorphological features.

The aim of this Special Issue is to bring together recent advances in remote sensing methodologies for multi-temporal monitoring of submerged and onshore bio-geomorphology using autonomous and multi-sensor platforms. This issue will focus on high-resolution mapping, change detection, and integrated workflows that address geomorphological dynamics and/or biogenic and habitat-forming structures, including coastal cliffs, soft substrates, reefs, and restoration sites. Contributions addressing UAV-, USV-, satellite-, and LiDAR-based approaches, as well as sensor fusion, machine learning, and physics-based models, are particularly encouraged. This issue places special emphasis on innovative sensing technologies, data processing, and applications for understanding Earth surface processes in coastal and marine environments.

The Special Issue is going to emphasize on the following topics:

• Time-series mapping of bedform migration;
• 3D geomorphic reconstruction of rocky substrates (biogenic reefs, coastal cliffs);
• UAV–LiDAR integration for coastal topo-bathymetric mapping;
• Remote sensing synergies with USV sensors;
• AI-based change detection;
• Interactions between nearshore geomorphology and benthic habitats;
• Monitoring restoration of bio-geomorphic systems (artificial reefs, dune rehabilitation, seagrass planting).

Dr. Evangelos Alevizos
Guest Editor

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