Sign in to use this feature.

Years

Between: -

Subjects

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Journals

Article Types

Countries / Regions

Search Results (27)

Search Parameters:
Keywords = Ebro Delta

Order results
Result details
Results per page
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
32 pages, 4259 KiB  
Article
Sediment Transport Constraints for Restoration of the Ebro Delta
by Francisco Martin-Carrasco, David Santillán, David López-Gómez, Ana Iglesias and Luis Garrote
Water 2025, 17(11), 1620; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17111620 - 27 May 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1435
Abstract
The natural flow of sediment in the Ebro River has been altered by a variety of factors that have impacted the geomorphic and ecological balance of the delta. Ongoing restoration efforts in the delta would benefit if the flow of sediment in the [...] Read more.
The natural flow of sediment in the Ebro River has been altered by a variety of factors that have impacted the geomorphic and ecological balance of the delta. Ongoing restoration efforts in the delta would benefit if the flow of sediment in the river could be increased. Understanding the dynamics of sediment flow in the Ebro River is an important component in the design of effective management strategies for the Ebro Delta. This study estimates the sediment transport potential of the Ebro River under current and future conditions through numerical simulation. Historical data from the late 19th century indicate that the river once transported up to 28.1 million tons of sediment per year. However, due to water abstractions and flow regulations, the current sediment transport capacity is limited to 9 million tons annually, a reduction of 67%. Future projections suggest further decreases in flow and sediment transport potential, with reductions of up to 30% by 2060 and 50% by 2100, depending on climate conditions and water management practices. The findings underscore the need for integrated management strategies to mitigate the impacts of reduced sediment flow, emphasizing the importance of restoring sediment transport as a crucial component of the delta restoration efforts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Hydraulics and Hydrodynamics)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

18 pages, 5270 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Study of Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Wastewater and Impacted Mediterranean Water Environments
by Maria Garcia-Torné, Irene Falcó, Xavier Borrell, Arianna Bautista, Rachida Mazigh, Rosa Aznar, Gloria Sánchez, Marinella Farré and Marta Llorca
Antibiotics 2025, 14(4), 341; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14040341 - 26 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1320
Abstract
Background: The spread of antimicrobial resistance is a central public health problem. Wastewater treatment plants and impacted environments are well-known hotspots for antibiotic resistance. However, there is still limited knowledge regarding where antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) acquire mobility. Method: In this study, we [...] Read more.
Background: The spread of antimicrobial resistance is a central public health problem. Wastewater treatment plants and impacted environments are well-known hotspots for antibiotic resistance. However, there is still limited knowledge regarding where antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) acquire mobility. Method: In this study, we aimed to gather evidence on the seasonal patterns of ARG spread in two Mediterranean areas from NE and E of Spain (Ebro River and Ebro Delta, and Xúquer River and Albufera de València), correlating ARG presence, with special focus on the faecal bacteria Escherichia coli, with antibiotic residues and environmental conditions. The analytical methodology employed was based on a suspect screening approach, while a novel prioritisation approach for antibiotics was proposed to identify those areas more susceptible to the spread of ARG. Results: Our findings demonstrate that ARG levels in wastewater were similar across different seasons, although a greater diversity of ARGs was recorded in summer. We hypothesise that horizontal gene transfer among aquatic bacterial populations during the northeastern Mediterranean summer, when temperatures reach approximately 35~40 °C, could be a key driver of ARG dissemination. By contrast, the highest concentrations of antibiotics in winter samples, with temperatures around 5~10 °C, may promote the spread of microbial resistance. Conclusions: Our key findings highlight that water temperature and sunlight irradiation are crucial factors influencing antibiotic levels and microbial abundance, requiring further investigation in future studies. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 1604 KiB  
Article
The Difficult Decision of Using Biopesticides: A Comparative Case-Study Analysis Concerning the Adoption of Biopesticides in the Mediterranean Region
by Elena Fusar Poli, José Miguel Campos, María Teresa Martínez Ferrer, Ridha Rahmouni, Souad Rouis, Zeynep Yurtkuran and Michele Filippo Fontefrancesco
Agriculture 2025, 15(6), 640; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15060640 - 18 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1574
Abstract
The adoption of biopesticides in Mediterranean agriculture is shaped by environmental, economic, and socio-cultural factors. This study explores the push and pull factors influencing farmers’ decisions in Spain’s Ebro Delta, Tunisia’s Nabeul region, and Turkey’s Adana province. Through qualitative fieldwork and comparative analysis, [...] Read more.
The adoption of biopesticides in Mediterranean agriculture is shaped by environmental, economic, and socio-cultural factors. This study explores the push and pull factors influencing farmers’ decisions in Spain’s Ebro Delta, Tunisia’s Nabeul region, and Turkey’s Adana province. Through qualitative fieldwork and comparative analysis, key barriers to adoption are identified, including high costs, limited market availability, skepticism about efficacy, and reliance on conventional pesticides. However, this study also highlights opportunities driven by regulatory changes, increasing market demand for sustainable products, and the potential of biopesticides to improve ecological sustainability. The research follows a comparative case-study approach and was conducted between January and November 2024. The methodology included a literature review, two rounds of qualitative interviews with farmers, and thematic analysis to identify barriers and enabling factors, ensuring methodological rigor and cross-validation. Findings indicate that farmers’ professional ethos and economic conditions significantly limit biopesticide adoption. Perceived inefficacy, high production costs, and low profit margins reinforce reluctance. Spain struggles with skepticism, Tunisia faces economic and informational barriers, and Turkey’s reliance on traditional practices slows innovation. Despite these obstacles, key drivers facilitate adoption, including improved agricultural education, cooperative support, and increasing consumer demand for sustainable products. Legal frameworks, particularly the EU’s “Farm to Fork” strategy, play a crucial role, though top-down policies risk local resistance. This study outlines a model for biopesticide adoption based on seven key factors, with legal frameworks and farm structure emerging as primary drivers. Addressing economic and educational barriers is crucial for widespread adoption. By implementing targeted policies, Mediterranean agriculture can become a model for sustainable practices, balancing productivity and environmental stewardship. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Economics, Policies and Rural Management)
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1880 KiB  
Article
Depuration of Aliarcobacter butzleri and Malaciobacter molluscorum in Comparison with Escherichia coli in Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and Oysters (Crassostrea gigas)
by Nuria Salas-Massó, Ana Fernández-Bravo, Edgar Bertomeu, Karl B. Andree, Maria José Figueras and Dolors Furones
Pathogens 2024, 13(11), 973; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13110973 - 7 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 972
Abstract
Arcobacter-related species are considered emerging food-borne and waterborne pathogens, with shellfish being a suggested reservoir. In a published study that investigated 204 shellfish samples and 476 isolates, the species Arcobacter butzleri (now known as Aliarcobacter butzleri) and Arcobacter molluscorum (now known [...] Read more.
Arcobacter-related species are considered emerging food-borne and waterborne pathogens, with shellfish being a suggested reservoir. In a published study that investigated 204 shellfish samples and 476 isolates, the species Arcobacter butzleri (now known as Aliarcobacter butzleri) and Arcobacter molluscorum (now known as Malaciobacter molluscorum) have been isolated as the most dominant species. However, the efficiency of depuration for eliminating A. butzleri and M. molluscorum in comparison with Escherichia coli from mussels and oysters is unknown and is therefore the objective of this investigation. The shellfish depuration process was evaluated in the laboratory, in summer and winter, using mussels and oysters collected from the Ebro Delta harvesting areas after performing a natural contamination and an artificial contamination using the same conditions for both mollusk and seasons. The natural contamination was performed by exposing the shellfish to a freshwater channel that receives untreated sewage from the village of Poble Nou (PNC) and that had a salinity of 10.7–16.8‰. The artificial contamination exposed the shellfish to A. butzleri and E. coli (in one tank) and to M. molluscorum and E. coli in another tank under controlled conditions of salinity (34.5‰) and temperature (20 °C summer and 14 °C winter). When evaluating the reduction in the bacteria load (every 24 h) throughout 120 h, the naturally contaminated shellfish at the PNC showed a higher reduction than the shellfish contaminated at the laboratory, with the exception of M. molluscorum, that at 24 h could not be detected in summer, neither in mussels nor in oysters. This may be attributed to the fact that the bacteria from the PNC were less adapted to the conditions of high salinity (34.5‰) in which the depuration process was performed. Although temperature did not statistically make a difference in depuration, at 20 °C a higher elimination of all bacteria was recorded relative to 14 °C. In general, E. coli survived more in mussels than in oysters, and M. molluscorum suffered in both mollusks a higher reduction than A. butzleri. New studies are required to determine further the safety of bivalves regarding the presence of Arcobacter-related species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research on Host–Pathogen Interaction in 2024)
Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 1908 KiB  
Article
Effect of Bivalves’ Sand Burial Capacity on Predation in the Invasive Blue Crab, Callinectes sapidus
by Patricia Prado, Ignasi Gairin and Silvia Falco
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(6), 1028; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12061028 - 20 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1345
Abstract
In the Ebro Delta (Catalonia, Spain), the abundance of burrowing bivalves has dramatically decreased, with the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, being blamed by shellfish collectors. Trends from 2010 evidence a decrease in the capture of clams (Ruditapes spp.) before 2016 (start [...] Read more.
In the Ebro Delta (Catalonia, Spain), the abundance of burrowing bivalves has dramatically decreased, with the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, being blamed by shellfish collectors. Trends from 2010 evidence a decrease in the capture of clams (Ruditapes spp.) before 2016 (start of blue crab fisheries), although a further decline in both clams and cockles (Cerastoderma glaucum) occurred in 2018. In contrast, captures of razor clams (Ensis siliqua) have increased by 3.6-fold since 2016. Predation risk for these taxa, with contrasting burrowing capacities (1.7 ± 0.3 cm, 0.4 ± 0.2 cm, and 26.3 ± 0.1 cm, respectively), was assessed using predation preference (N = 5 tanks; 5 individuals of each species) and no-choice experiments (N = 5 tanks; 15 individuals of the same taxa) in the absence and presence of sand. The results showed that, in the absence of sand, razor clams were fully preyed upon in 24 h, clams in 96 h, and cockles reached 60% after 144 h. Conversely, when sand was present, only 4% of razor clams were predated, while clams and cockles reached 60–100% in 120–144 h. The no-choice results featured similar patterns, depending on substrate availability. Overall, clams and cockles appear to be greatly vulnerable to blue crab predation, whereas razor clams may escape thanks to their deeper burrowing capacity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Marine Ecology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 2812 KiB  
Article
Analysing Spatiotemporal Variability of Chlorophyll-a Concentration and Water Surface Temperature in Coastal Lagoons of the Ebro Delta (NW Mediterranean Sea, Spain)
by Lara Talavera, José Antonio Domínguez-Gómez, Nuria Navarro and Inmaculada Rodríguez-Santalla
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(6), 941; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12060941 - 3 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1497
Abstract
Coastal lagoons are highly productive transitional water bodies threatened by human factors and vulnerable to global climate change effects. Monitoring biophysical parameters in these ecosystems is crucial for their preservation. In this work, we used Sentinel-2 and Landsat imagery combined with in situ [...] Read more.
Coastal lagoons are highly productive transitional water bodies threatened by human factors and vulnerable to global climate change effects. Monitoring biophysical parameters in these ecosystems is crucial for their preservation. In this work, we used Sentinel-2 and Landsat imagery combined with in situ data to (1) develop preliminary algorithms for retrieving the Chl-a concentration and water surface temperature of six lagoons located in the Ebro Delta (NE Mediterranean Sea, Spain), and to (2) compute maps and trend lines for analysing their spatiotemporal evolution from 2015 to 2022. Our findings showed that the algorithms’ accuracy ranged from 72% to 78% and had limited potential under high Chl-a concentration regimes. Even so, they revealed the lagoons’ trophic status, usual fluctuations, and deviations of both parameters attributed to seasonal (i.e., light and temperature) and short-term physical (i.e., winds) forcing, as well as valuable spatial patterns potentially useful for conservation efforts and land use planning. Future work will focus on the acquisition of a larger in situ data sample under a range of environmental conditions to improve the algorithms’ robustness, which in turn will allow the investigation of natural and human factors controlling the dynamics of the two investigated parameters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wetland Evolution Based on Remote Sensing Data)
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 20974 KiB  
Article
Water Quality and Flooding Impact of the Record-Breaking Storm Gloria in the Ebro Delta (Western Mediterranean)
by Isabel Caballero, Mar Roca, Martha B. Dunbar and Gabriel Navarro
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(1), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16010041 - 21 Dec 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2770
Abstract
Extreme events are increasing in frequency and severity due to climate change, making the littoral zone even more vulnerable and requiring continuous monitoring for its optimized management. The low-lying Ebro Delta ecosystem, located in the NW Mediterranean, was subject to Storm Gloria in [...] Read more.
Extreme events are increasing in frequency and severity due to climate change, making the littoral zone even more vulnerable and requiring continuous monitoring for its optimized management. The low-lying Ebro Delta ecosystem, located in the NW Mediterranean, was subject to Storm Gloria in the winter of 2020, the most severe coastal storm registered in the area in decades and one of the most intense ever recorded in the Mediterranean. This event caused intense rainfall, severe flooding, the erosion of beaches, and the destruction of coastal infrastructures. In this study, the Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 satellites were used to monitor the flooding impact and water quality status, including chlorophyll-a, suspended particulate matter, and turbidity, to evaluate the pre-, syn-, and post-storm scenarios. Image processing was carried out using the ACOLITE software and the on-the-cloud Google Earth Engine platform for the water quality and flood mapping, respectively, showing a consistent performance for both satellites. This cost-effective methodology allowed us to characterize the main water quality variation in the coastal environment during the storm and detect a higher flooding impact compared to the one registered three days later by the Copernicus Emergency Service for the same area. Moreover, the time series revealed how the detrimental impact on the water quality and turbidity conditions was restored two weeks after the extreme weather event. While transitional plumes of sediment discharge were formed, no phytoplankton blooms appeared during the study period in the delta. These results demonstrate that the workflow implemented is suitable for monitoring extreme coastal events using open satellite imagery at 10–30 m spatial resolution, thus providing valuable information for early warning to facilitate timely assistance and hazard impact evaluation. The integration of these tools into ecological disaster management can significantly improve current monitoring strategies, supporting decision-makers from the local to the national level in prevention, adaptation measures, and damage compensation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Remote Sensing Applications in Natural Hazards Research)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 41727 KiB  
Article
Effectiveness of Dune Reconstruction and Beach Nourishment to Mitigate Coastal Erosion of the Ebro Delta (Spain)
by Giuseppe Pio Costa, Massimiliano Marino, Iván Cáceres and Rosaria Ester Musumeci
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(10), 1908; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11101908 - 2 Oct 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3158
Abstract
Coastal areas facing increasing erosion are resorting to sand displacement strategies to mitigate the erosive impact, which is exacerbated by climate change. In the face of climate change, coastal managers are more frequently resorting to sand displacement strategies to recover eroding coastlines. These [...] Read more.
Coastal areas facing increasing erosion are resorting to sand displacement strategies to mitigate the erosive impact, which is exacerbated by climate change. In the face of climate change, coastal managers are more frequently resorting to sand displacement strategies to recover eroding coastlines. These vulnerable coastal zones require innovative approaches to minimize the need for frequent sand replenishment, extend their effectiveness and lower their maintenance expenses. This study undertakes a comparison of four primary nourishment strategies—a conventional uniform nourishment technique and the placement of a single sand dune evaluated at three different positions—in contrast to a scenario where no intervention is carried out. The investigation employs the XBeach numerical model to assess the outcomes of these diverse strategies under both low- and high-energetic storm conditions. The case study is a degraded coastal beach in the Ebro Delta (Spain). The results reveal a significant decrease in erosion when the dune is positioned closest to the shoreline. However, this erosion mitigation effect diminishes as the dune is situated further inland. Conversely, the sand nourishment measure exhibits minimal fluctuations in the volume of eroded sand when compared to the scenario with no intervention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Protection)
Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 4521 KiB  
Article
Accurate Estimation of Chlorophyll-a Concentration in the Coastal Areas of the Ebro Delta (NW Mediterranean) Using Sentinel-2 and Its Application in the Selection of Areas for Mussel Aquaculture
by Margarita Fernández-Tejedor, Jorge Enrique Velasco and Eduard Angelats
Remote Sens. 2022, 14(20), 5235; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14205235 - 19 Oct 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4102
Abstract
Multispectral satellite remote sensing imagery, together with appropriate modeling, have been proven to provide chlorophyll-a maps that are useful to evaluate the suitability of coastal areas for carrying out shellfish aquaculture. However, current approaches used for chlorophyll-a estimation in very shallow [...] Read more.
Multispectral satellite remote sensing imagery, together with appropriate modeling, have been proven to provide chlorophyll-a maps that are useful to evaluate the suitability of coastal areas for carrying out shellfish aquaculture. However, current approaches used for chlorophyll-a estimation in very shallow coastal areas often fail in their accuracy. To overcome this limitation, an algorithm that provides an accurate estimation of chlorophyll-a concentration in the coastal areas of the Ebro delta (North Western Mediterranean) using atmospherically corrected Sentinel 2 (S2) remote sensing reflectances (Rrs) has been calibrated and validated. The derived chlorophyll-a maps created have been used in a dynamic carrying capacity model that covers areas from very rich waters inside the embayment to the more oligotrophic waters in the open sea. The use of carrying capacity models is recommended to evaluate the potential of marine coastal areas for bivalve mollusk aquaculture. In this context, the depletion of chlorophyll-a is an indicator of negative environmental impact and thus a continuous monitoring of chlorophyll-a is key. The proposed methodology allows estimation of chlorophyll-a concentration from Sentinel-2 with an accuracy higher than 70% in most cases. The carrying capacity and the suitability of the external areas of the Ebro delta have been determined. The results show that these areas can hold a significant mussel production. The methodology presented in this study aims to provide a tool to the shellfish aquaculture industry. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

1 pages, 185 KiB  
Abstract
Restoration of Coastal Ecological Processes versus Fish Conservation: To Be or Not to Be…
by Nuno Caiola and Carles Ibáñez
Biol. Life Sci. Forum 2022, 13(1), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/blsf2022013051 - 2 Jun 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 913
Abstract
The H2020 project REST-COAST will build a framework for large-scale coastal restoration, encompassing the development of adequate monitoring plans and accurate assessment methods to evaluate the performance of restoration actions in terms of ecosystem-service delivery and bio-diversity enhancement. Hands-on restoration actions will be [...] Read more.
The H2020 project REST-COAST will build a framework for large-scale coastal restoration, encompassing the development of adequate monitoring plans and accurate assessment methods to evaluate the performance of restoration actions in terms of ecosystem-service delivery and bio-diversity enhancement. Hands-on restoration actions will be implemented in nine pilot sites representative of the European coastal archetype’s variability. In many of these cases, the restoration actions imply the enhancement of the connectivity between coastal and marine habitats. In such cases, although the ecological processes are restored, the loss of coastal habitat isolation may affect fish species. The Ebro delta is one of the main REST-COAST pilot sites, and in a previous restoration project, abandoned commercial aquaculture ponds holding an abundant population of the endangered Spanish toothcarp (Aphanius iberus) were transformed into natural coastal wetlands. Moreover, the connectivity of the restored habitats with the sea was improved. The fish community was monitored following a before–after restoration design. Here, we use the Ebro delta as a REST-COAST case study to evaluate the effect of enhanced habitat connectivity on the fish community, with emphasis on the Spanish toothcarp. We analyzed the relationship between species richness, diversity and abundance, and the environmental variables affected by the restoration works. While species richness and diversity increased, Spanish toothcarp abundance decreased. This opens the debate on whether species conservation should be prioritized over ecosystem process restoration, even if it means maintaining a degraded habitat. Moreover, the adequacy of using fish as indicators of coastal ecosystem restoration performance is discussed. It is expected that the results will assist in establishing suitable criteria for coastal ecosystem restoration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The IX Iberian Congress of Ichthyology)
19 pages, 4883 KiB  
Review
Main Threats in Mediterranean Coastal Wetlands. The Ebro Delta Case
by Inmaculada Rodríguez-Santalla and Nuria Navarro
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(11), 1190; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9111190 - 27 Oct 2021
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 5955
Abstract
Coastal wetlands are dynamic ecosystems that exist at the interface between land and sea. They represent environments with a great diversity of habitats and communities, high carbon sequestration capacity and a wide range of ecosystem services. In the Mediterranean, the largest coastal wetlands [...] Read more.
Coastal wetlands are dynamic ecosystems that exist at the interface between land and sea. They represent environments with a great diversity of habitats and communities, high carbon sequestration capacity and a wide range of ecosystem services. In the Mediterranean, the largest coastal wetlands are found in deltaic areas like that of the Ebro River (Spain), which has a coastline length of approximately 50 km, occupying a total area of 325 km2. The Ebro Delta is included in different national and international frameworks for environmental conservation, despite which there are several risks that threaten it. The lack of sedimentary contributions due to the regulation of the Ebro riverbed (irrigation, reservoirs, and hydroelectric power generation) has caused erosion and the retreat of certain sections of its coastline. To this situation of sediment deficit must be added the threat posed by the effects of global change, such as the rise in sea level, the increase in temperature and in the frequency and intensity of storms. This study analyses the particularities of the coastal wetland of the Ebro Delta, identifying the main threats it faces, as well as possible adaptation and mitigation strategies to these changes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coastal Wetlands)
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 7383 KiB  
Article
Mapping Landscape Perception: An Assessment with Public Participation Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis Techniques
by Amalia Vaneska Palacio Buendía, Yolanda Pérez-Albert and David Serrano Giné
Land 2021, 10(6), 632; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10060632 - 14 Jun 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5801
Abstract
Mapping cognitive landscape perception is hindered by the difficulty of representing opinions that are spatially distributed in a heterogeneous way or not restricted by the locations of physical elements in the landscape. In recent years, the use of tools based on geographic information [...] Read more.
Mapping cognitive landscape perception is hindered by the difficulty of representing opinions that are spatially distributed in a heterogeneous way or not restricted by the locations of physical elements in the landscape. In recent years, the use of tools based on geographic information techniques has gained momentum in landscape assessment. We propose a methodology for generalizing cognitive landscape opinions on a spatial basis. To this end, we used a public participatory geographic information system to collect data, which is a method based on bipolar adjectives to approach users’ opinions, and the inverse distance weighted spatial interpolator and multi-criteria evaluation to undertake the spatial analysis. The study was conducted in the Ebro Delta, which is a protected wetland in northeastern Spain. The assessment was based on 1593 georeferenced opinions and resulted in a continuous geographic map of 330 km2 depicting positive and negative perceptions about the landscape. The area under study was perceived as productive, interesting, attractive, and, for the most part, quiet and peaceful, although it was seen as dirty in some parts. The method successfully mapped cognitive landscape opinions and establishes a novel procedure in landscape approaches. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 4891 KiB  
Article
Vulnerability Analysis of the Riumar Dune Field in El Garxal Coastal Wetland (Ebro Delta, Spain)
by Inmaculada Rodríguez-Santalla, Alejandro Díez-Martínez and Nuria Navarro
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(6), 601; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9060601 - 31 May 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4495
Abstract
The aim of this work is to apply a vulnerability index in the dune field located in the Riumar urban zone at the mouth of the Ebro River. This dune field represents the natural barrier of the El Garxal coastal lagoon system. The [...] Read more.
The aim of this work is to apply a vulnerability index in the dune field located in the Riumar urban zone at the mouth of the Ebro River. This dune field represents the natural barrier of the El Garxal coastal lagoon system. The index used integrates the dimensions of exposure, susceptibility, and resilience from the analysis of 19 variables. The results obtained show moderate susceptibility and high resilience, which are in line with the behavior of this dune field during the last sea storms (Gloria in January 2020 and Philomena in January 2021, among others) that have tested the capacity of this system to cope with the effects of these storms. Therefore, increasing the knowledge of the factors affecting the vulnerability of the dunes can be helpful in the management and conservation of these coastal environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coastal Wetlands)
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 4680 KiB  
Article
Multi-Decadal Deltaic Land-Surface Changes: Gauging the Vulnerability of a Selection of Mediterranean and Black Sea River Deltas
by Edward J. Anthony, Manon Besset, Florin Zainescu and François Sabatier
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(5), 512; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9050512 - 9 May 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2877
Abstract
Areal changes over delta surfaces determined by land and water ratios are a promising tool for identifying spatial and temporal changes in deltas that may reveal subsidence and shoreline erosion. Such changes can also provide the basis for more detailed studies on variations [...] Read more.
Areal changes over delta surfaces determined by land and water ratios are a promising tool for identifying spatial and temporal changes in deltas that may reveal subsidence and shoreline erosion. Such changes can also provide the basis for more detailed studies on variations in land-cover and vegetation. Changes in land and water areas over a 35-year period (1984–2019) were determined for a selection of ten river deltas in the Mediterranean (Nile, Rhône, Po, Ebro, Moulouya, Ceyhan-Seyhan, Medjerdja, Ombrone, Arno) and the Black Sea (Danube), with a particular focus on aspects of subsidence and shoreline erosion. With the exception of the Ombrone, Arno, and Moulouya, and to lesser extent the Medjerdja, where notable changes dominate in the coastal zone and are tantamount to net erosion, the spatial pattern is largely dominated by delta-plain changes characterized by increasing areas of water. The pattern reflects a mix of shoreline erosion, land-use and land-cover changes, such as the ecological restoration of wetlands, but also increasing subsidence in these deltas, all of which have been exposed to a declining fluvial sediment supply due to human influence. The use of data on land-water ratios needs to be complemented by more detailed studies devoted to each delta in order to clearly disentangle changes related to land-use, vegetation, and subsidence. It is also important to determine how wetlands are interpreted in such ratios, as these important ecological elements are sensitive to ratio variations. It would also be interesting in future studies to examine how these variations play out over time, notably in deltas where changes have been significant over the period 1984–2019. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Technologies and Solutions for Coastal Evolution and Management)
Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 4036 KiB  
Article
Short-Term Response of Chlorophyll a Concentration Due to Intense Wind and Freshwater Peak Episodes in Estuaries: The Case of Fangar Bay (Ebro Delta)
by Marta F-Pedrera Balsells, Manel Grifoll, Margarita Fernández-Tejedor and Manuel Espino
Water 2021, 13(5), 701; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13050701 - 5 Mar 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3197
Abstract
Estuaries and coastal bays are areas of large spatio-temporal variability in physical and biological variables due to environmental factors such as local wind, light availability, freshwater inputs or tides. This study focuses on the effect of strong wind events and freshwater peaks on [...] Read more.
Estuaries and coastal bays are areas of large spatio-temporal variability in physical and biological variables due to environmental factors such as local wind, light availability, freshwater inputs or tides. This study focuses on the effect of strong wind events and freshwater peaks on short-term chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration distribution in the small-scale and microtidal, Fangar Bay (Ebro Delta, northwestern Mediterranean). The hydrodynamics of this bay are primarily driven by local wind episodes modulated by stratification in the water column. Results based on field-campaign observations and Sentinel-2 images revealed that intense wind episodes from both NW (offshore) and NE-E (onshore) caused an increase in the concentration of surface Chl a. The mechanisms responsible were horizontal mixing and the bottom resuspension (also linked to the breakage of the stratification) that presumably resuspended Chl a containing biomass (i.e., micropyhtobentos) and/or incorporated nutrients into the water column. On the other hand, sea-breeze was not capable of breaking up the stratification, so the chlorophyll a concentration did not change significantly during these episodes. It was concluded that the mixing produced by the strong winds favoured an accumulation of Chl a concentration, while the stratification that causes a positive estuarine circulation reduced this accumulation. However, the spatial-temporal variability of the Chl a concentration in small-scale estuaries and coastal bays is quite complex due to the many factors involved and deserve further intensive field campaigns and additional numerical modelling efforts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamics and Biogeochemical Flows in Estuarine and Nearshore Systems)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop