Monitoring the Dynamics of Formby Sand Dunes Using Airborne LiDAR DTMs

Coastal dunes play an important role in coastal erosion risk management, where they act as a dynamic natural sea defence line. Formby coast is part of the Sefton Northwest England and one largest most rapidly evolving sand dune systems UK. Such require continuous comprehensive monitoring activity to understand their dynamics. In this research, we investigate use airborne LiDAR digital terrain model DTMs for dynamics at between 1999 2020. We found that rate elevation change beach areas ranges from −0.78 0.02 m/year −0.92 0.73 m/year, respectively. The frontal have had significant erosion, while inner gained during measurement period. Vegetated remained unchanged due impact vegetation stabilizing movement dunes. volume loss about 907,000 m3 last 21 years, increase 1,049,000 over same total entire system, consisting both areas, unchanged, which indicates growth inland fed by beach. All volumetric changes occurred redistribution within with along beach, deposition areas.