Current changes of sandy seashore of Lithuania within the impact of natural and anthropogenic processes

¹ Institute of Maritime and Cultural Landcapes of the Klaipeda University, Lithuania
vdubra@gmail.com
² Department of Lanscape Architecture and Territorry Planning of the Klaipeda University, Lithuania
petras.grecevicius@ku.lt
³ Maritime Institute of the Klaipeda University, Lithuania
juozas.dubra@gmail.com

Abstract

The major part of the South Eastern Baltic sandy seashore is influenced by erosion and recession of varying intensity. Total Lithuanian coastline length doesn’t exceed 100 km there, but this area is prominent for its fine sand beaches and costal protective dunes. The main goal of the present research was to define the trends of coastal dynamic processes of Lithuanian seashore area within the long-term impact of natural processes and human action.

The coastline changes have been estimated by means of aerial photography and detailed field geodetic measurements within the period since 1999 with the supplementary addition of historical data backing to the end of 19^th century. Annual rates of dune base line position were calculated for the mentioned period. The history of coastal protection development was analysed, as well. Application of aerial photography and historical field topography data gives us the possibility to find some peculiarities in coastal changes. The identification of the eroded and relatively stable areas is very important for spatial planning, coastal protection and other activities, related to the coast that bears man-made coastal protective dunes, including ones on the Curonian Spit.