UAV Application for Coastal Area Monitoring: A Case Study of Sant'Alessio Siculo, Sicily

In this study, we present the results of the application of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for the monitoring of the coast of Sant’ Alessio Siculo. A total of four surveys of the entire coastal strip were carried out using UAV. The area was chosen in order to investigate the diachronic evolution of the beach nourishment intervention conducted in this area. The results allowed us to obtain the diachronic effects of the intervention estimated in changes in surface and volumes of the studied area. The results indicate that UAV photogrammetry is a useful tool for the monitoring and survey of highly dynamic coastal environments.