Erosion: A Human Induced Threat for the NW Coasts of Rhodes Island (SE Greece)

Rhodes is the largest island of Dodecanese island complex in the SE Aegean Sea. Due to its geological structure it is characterized by a relatively high percentage of depositional coasts. The depositional northwest coasts of Rhodes Island have experienced strong erosion during the last few decades, due to a progressive decrease in sediment supply, resulting mainly from human activities along the coastline and in the hinterland. The extensive erosion has significant environmental and socioeconomic impacts, since considerable recreational infrastructure has been developed at the coastal zone. Coastal geomorphological observations were conducted and the coastal and sediment dynamics at certain locations of the northwest coasts were studied. To protect eroding coasts, the engineers suggest usually 'hard works', such as constructions parallel or normal to the shore, stabilization works, etc. We consider that the selection of the most suitable method is subject to environmental, technical, economical, political, social and aesthetic limitations and in contrast to the local defense measures (groins normal to the shore) that have been used unsuccessfully so far, we propose for the most of the places along the eroding northwest coastal area of Rhodes Island periodic beach nourishment.