Coastal Erosion and Management at the Cliffed Coast of Algarve.

This field trip will aim to show and discuss several coastal management problems along a part of the cliffed coast of Algarve (from Albufeira to Vale do Lobo). Some of the most important tourism resorts from Algarve are located at this coastal sector, which is facing a general retreat trend. Average shoreline retreat rates range from few centimetres per year to more than 3m/yr, depending on factors such as cliff lithology, exposure to wave incidence and location in relation to jetties or groins. Human occupation is therefore threatened at several places and coastal management actions (e.g. beach nourishment, cliff cementation) have been taken in the past when problems where observed. The field trip stops will show the most important examples of shoreline retreat and/or management problems at this coastal sector.

Place: Albufeira-Falésia-Vilamoura-Quarteira-Vale do Lobo.

Coordinator: Prof. Óscar Ferreira.