The project
Project details
Implementation of monitoring and early warning systems
C1-2.1-62
For over 50 years, the coasts of Sicily and Malta have been affected by coastal erosion, often tackled with hard structures that worsened the situation by shifting erosion downstream. The real causes—such as reduced river sediment input and coastal urbanization—have often been overlooked. The SANDLAND project aims to identify Relict Marine Sediment Deposits (RMSDs) in selected offshore areas of Sicily to be used for sustainable beach nourishment in both Sicily and Malta. The project will develop technical protocols and pilot actions, including sediment self-transplants using fluvial deposits, and establish an Italo-Maltese Multi-Center Meteo-Geomorpho-Sedimentological Laboratory.
- 1 WebGIS platform populated for the management of Relict Marine Sediment Deposits (RMSDs)
- 1 Protocol for the identification and management of RMSDs
- 1 Protocol for the use of material for coastal self-transplants
- 1 LAPOIM Laboratory (Italo-Maltese Multi-Center Meteo-Geomorpho-Sedimentological Lab)
- 4 sedimentological, morphobathymetric, and environmental parameters identified
- 30 km² of surveyed surface for morpho-bathymetric-geological data
- 1 technical solution adopted for sustainable beach nourishment
- 5 organizations cooperating across borders after project end
- 1 experimental site activated to test developed protocols
- Increased resilience of Sicilian and Maltese coasts against erosion through natural and sustainable solutions.
- Identification and characterization of Relict Marine Sediment Deposits (RMSDs) for future beach nourishment use.
- Adoption of shared technical protocols for sediment management and coastal self-transplant interventions.
- Establishment of an Italo-Maltese laboratory for meteo-marine and sedimentological monitoring.
- Strengthened cooperation between scientific institutions and public administrations on climate adaptation strategies.
- Greater awareness among public decision-makers about the benefits of eco-sustainable solutions over hard coastal defenses.
Prof.ssa Agata Di Stefano
📧 agata.distefano@unict.it
📞 +39 328 4083795
