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Abstract Fine‐grained sandy and gravel beaches are highly sensitive coastal zones, shaped by complex interactions between natural processes and anthropogenic pressures. Long‐term monitoring of coastal dynamics is essential for effective and sustainable management of these environments. This study focuses on the long‐term (64‐year) coastal dynamics of Sušac Beach, located on the northeastern part of Pag Island, Croatia, within a karst landscape. The research combines historical aerial imagery (HAIs) with very‐high‐resolution UAV photogrammetry to analyse spatio‐temporal changes (STCs) in beach morphology. The primary objectives were to quantify long‐term linear and areal STCs using HAIs and to assess short‐term (6‐month) volumetric changes using UAV surveys conducted with the DJI Matrice 210 RTK. Sušac Beach exhibited intense coastal dynamics over the 64‐year period, but no significant long‐term linear or areal retrogradation was observed. Despite extensive morphological changes, the beach's overall size remained stable, indicating long‐term resilience. Short‐term analysis revealed substantial volumetric changes, with dominant erosion (177 m 3 of material eroded) and a net material loss of 99 m 3 . The study suggests that continuous sediment replenishment from surrounding steep slopes contributes to the beach's stability over time. The combination of HAIs and UAV photogrammetry proved effective in monitoring linear, areal and volumetric STCs, providing valuable insights into coastal dynamics on a beach at the flysch–carbonate contact. The findings highlight the importance of natural sediment supply in maintaining beach stability, even in the face of intense short‐term erosion. The study also underscores the utility of integrating archive historical imagery with modern geospatial technologies for comprehensive coastal monitoring. This approach can be applied to other similar beaches, offering a robust framework for understanding and managing coastal dynamics in sensitive environments. The results contribute to the broader understanding of coastal processes and provide a foundation for future research on the impacts of climate change and anthropogenic activities on coastal systems.
Pedić et al. (Mon,) studied this question.