What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to assess the impact of urbanisation on coastal dune systems and support their conservation.

April 23, 2026Conservation0 citationsOpen Access

Unprotected Urban Sand Dunes Under Anthropogenic Pressure and Risk of Habitat Loss: Using UAS–LiDAR Data to Support Conservation Along the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast

BPBogdan ProdanovBulgarian Academy of Sciences RBRadoslava Bekova CGChavdar Gussev

Key Points

The aim is to assess the impact of urbanisation on coastal dune systems and support their conservation.
Conducted high-resolution UAS-LiDAR surveys and photogrammetry.
Analyzed geomorphological settings and habitat patterns.
Implemented field observations for detailed characterisation.
Identified substantial degradation and fragmentation of dune habitats due to human activities.
Detected subtle topographic changes affecting sediment transport and habitat stability.
Demonstrated that UAS-LiDAR is essential for accurate habitat mapping and assessment.

Abstract

Coastal beach–dune systems along the Western Black Sea Coast represent geomorphologically complex and ecologically valuable environments that have been increasingly affected by long-term urbanisation and recreational pressure. This study examines the geomorphological settings, sedimentary connectivity and associated Natura 2000 dune habitats within two urbanised beach–dune systems, Pobeda (Burgas) and Asparuhovo (Varna), to improve their cadastral documentation and support objective conservation assessment. The analysis is based on high-resolution UAS-LiDAR surveys, complemented by UAS photogrammetry and field observations, allowing detailed three-dimensional characterisation of dune landforms, surface morphology and habitat patterns. The results identify foredune-dominated system architectures in both study areas, with the Pobeda (Burgas) and Asparuhovo (Varna) beach–dune systems comprising embryonic dunes, established foredune ridges and low-relief foredune plains, variably developed and spatially fragmented as a result of long-term urbanisation and recreational pressure, and spatially associated with dune habitats. Despite substantial anthropogenic modification, these elements remain recognisable, although locally fragmented and morphologically degraded. Subtle topographic changes related to trampling, informal access routes and surface compaction were detected, particularly affecting foredune crests and foredune plains, with implications for sediment transport continuity and habitat stability. The study shows that conventional habitat inventories alone are insufficient for capturing such changes. Integrated geomorphological and habitat analysis based on UAS-LiDAR provides a reliable framework for accurate mapping, conservation status assessment and informed consideration of coastal dune systems within the Natura 2000 network and related protection schemes.

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