Coastal Dune Ecosystems — Italy
Sand dune habitats and shoreline documentation across Italy's coastlines
Factual records on dune morphology, coastal plant communities, and shoreline dynamics along the Adriatic, Tyrrhenian, and Sardinian shores. Compiled from environmental assessments, peer-reviewed literature, and official monitoring data.
1,500km
Adriatic Coastline
Of which approximately 40% shows documented erosion trend over the past three decades.
38
Natura 2000 Sites
Along the Adriatic coast containing coastal dune habitats listed under the EU Habitats Directive.
30m
Piscinas Dune Height
The Piscinas dune field in southwestern Sardinia reaches over 30 metres — among Italy's tallest active dunes.
Recent Articles
Documented accounts from Italy's coastal dune systems
Each article draws from assessments, surveys, and published research. Geographic scope spans all major Italian coastlines.
Italy holds five of the EU's priority coastal dune habitat types
From embryonic shifting dunes at the tideline to juniper woodland on back-dune slopes — habitats designated under the EU Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC and subject to national reporting requirements.
Adriatic Dune SystemsSardinia: Italy's largest intact dune fields
The Piscinas and Is Arenas dune complexes in the southwest retain active aeolian dynamics and a near-complete plant succession from pioneer fringe to back-dune scrub.
Sardinian Dune Flora47% of the Tyrrhenian coast in documented retreat
ISPRA's 2021 assessment classifies nearly half the Tyrrhenian shoreline as showing net erosion. The implications for low-profile dune barriers are examined in the Tyrrhenian article.
Tyrrhenian Erosion DataAdriatic
Po Delta to Puglia
Heavily modified northern sectors; surviving dune habitats concentrated in the Gargano and Salento areas of Puglia.
Tyrrhenian
Circeo to Capo Vaticano
Best-preserved sites within national parks; significant erosion in the Campanian Coastal Plain and southern Lazio.
Sardinia
Piscinas to Capo Comino
Italy's most extensive intact dune vegetation. Active aeolian dunes in the southwest; fixed grey dunes and juniper woodland in the north.
Get in Touch
Corrections and source queries
For factual corrections, source references, or correspondence on articles, use the form. Response time is five to ten working days.
Email: info@dunefield.eu
Phone: +39 06 9876 5432
Address: Via dei Pini 14, 00040 Pomezia (RM), Italy