Beach and nearshore monitoring techniques

Abstract

Monitoring of beach and nearshore environments is essential for obtaining better insights into the functioning of the coastal zone. It has driven the understanding of these environments and worked beneficially alongside modelling studies. Hydrodynamics, water quality, and sedimentological and morphological processes can be observed and quantified through field measurements. A successful monitoring programme has a well-considered design, reflecting the interests of all parties involved and balancing scientific requirements (such as measuring scales and resolutions in time and space) against available budgets and resources. The key to utilizing the monitoring result is a data management system that accommodates the FAIR principles – Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable – for data handling. For the future of coastal monitoring we foresee that recent technological developments will help define the way; particularly miniaturized sensors, data transmission advances, and remote sensing techniques. These developments, especially if embedded in high-profile, open-access coastal observatories, can pave the way towards now-casting of coastal systems.