Effects of morphology and sediment permeability on coastal lagoons’ hydrological patterns

Mediterranean coastal lagoons are influenced from a wide variety of external factors such as surface and groundwater flows climate dynamics. They also vulnerable to human activities, which have caused significant loss these types habitats. As result, the EU habitat management now prioritized restoration natural wetlands. However, there is lack systemic studies on mechanisms wetland degradation ecohydrological processes that determine restored ecological functioning an end goal, well reference sites make comparisons. Furthermore, while lagoon morphometry underlying sediment permeability been studied extensively, combining disciplines evaluate hydrology salinity dynamics yet be fully explored. The aim this study was analyze hydrological 4 newly constructed compare them with 2 in La Pletera salt marshes conservation efforts. We use General Lake Model (GLM) assess water volume fluctuations, variability circulation (groundwater inflows, outflows evaporation). combine data lithological characteristics morphometry, better understand interplay parameters behavior each lagoon. Results indicated older exhibited more consistent patterns confinement; deeper morphologies, lower evaporation effect, circulation, annual fluctuation. presence low-permeability layers resulted less fluctuation higher levels. Conversely, three four new had similar, shallower morphologies fluxes, but different due or absence low layers. Also, their fluctuations were by seasonal mixing than evaporation, indicating susceptibility climatic influence pattern lagoons. This could prove important when constructing restoring according predetermined morphology patterns, it ultimately limit enhance success set objectives overall flooding – confinement driven ecosystem conditioned irregular unpredictable events.