The Use of UAVs for the Characterization and Analysis of Rocky Coasts

Rocky coasts represent three quarters of all coastlines worldwide. These areas are part ecosystems great ecological value, but their steep configuration and elevation make field surveys difficult. This fact, together with lower variation rates, explains the numbers publications about cliffs rocky in general compared those beach-dune systems. The introduction UAVs research, has enormously expanded possibilities for study coasts. Their relative low costs allow generation information a high level detail. information, combined GIS tools, enables coastal analysis based on Digital Models spatial resolution images. investigation summarizes main results obtained help between 2012 present day coastline sections northwest Iberian Peninsula. investigations have particularly focused monitoring dynamics boulder beaches, cliffs, shore platforms, as well structure function ecosystems. work demonstrates importance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) studies usefulness improving management. Galician case was used to explain advances UAVs’ techniques.