Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

The Spanish Coastal Systems pp 661–680Cite as

Dunes in the Gibraltar Strait Realm

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

  • 922 Accesses

Abstract

This chapter examines the origin, evolution and present state of the coastal dunes along the South Atlantic Spanish coast around the Strait of Gibraltar. Wind regime in the zone is strongly affected by the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Low or negative NAO index values give rise to the prevalence of westerly humid winds, while during periods with a positive NAO index easterly, dry winds prevail. Several Holocene and historical aeolian phases have been identified in the zone, represented by different aeolian deposits, many of them containing archaeological remains. The oldest one dates to shortly after the mid-Holocene eustatic maximum. During historical times dune-building episodes were associated with a higher frequency and persistence of easterly winds. During the 20th century, and especially in the last few decades, the prevalence of positive values of the NAO index has favoured the growth and advance of mobile dunes in the vicinity of the Strait of Gibraltar. In contrast, dune ridges associated with westerly winds are much less mobile or stable and form shore-parallel ridges covered by vegetation. In the Atlantic side of the Strait, environmental health of coastal dunes is satisfactory, especially those included in the Strait of Gibraltar Natural Park, where more effective protection measures are applied. The Mediterranean side is characterized by a dense population and intense human interventions, leading to erosion problems. Climate change predictions for the next decades suggest an increase in the frequency and intensity of easterly-Levante winds in the Strait. This situation would favour the reinforcement and growth of the Levante-derived dunes around the Strait, and perhaps recovery of the small dunes existing in the Mediterranean side.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aberg, U. (2005). Recent berm ridge development inside a mesotidal estuary: The Guadalquivir River mouth case (Unpublished Degree Dissertation). University of Uppsala, 62 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alonso, C., Gracia, F. J., & Benavente, J. (2004). Las marismas, alfares y salinas como indicadores para la restitución paleotopográfica de la Bahía de Cádiz durante la antigüedad. In XVI Encuentros de Historia y Arqueología (pp. 263–287). Ayuntamiento de San Fernando: Exmo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alonso, C., Gracia, F. J., & Rodríguez-Polo, S. (2014). Modelo de evolución histórica de la flecha-barrera de Valdelagrana (Bahía de Cádiz). In S. Schnabel & A. Gómez (Eds.), Avances de la Geomorfología en España 2012–2014 (pp. 584–587). Cáceres: XIII National Geomorphological Meeting.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bello-Millán, F. J., Somoano, M., Clavero, M., Gómez-Pina, G., & Losada, M. A. (2016). El sistema dunar de Valdevaqueros: evolución histórica y alternativas de gestión. RIBAGUA - Revista Iberoamericana del Agua, 3, 46–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benavente, J., Del Río, L., Gracia, F. J., & Martínez, J. A. (2006). Coastal flooding hazard related to storms and coastal evolution in Valdelagrana spit (Cádiz Bay Natural Park, SW Spain). Continental Shelf Research, 26, 1061–1076.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blanc, P. L. (2002). The opening of the Plio-Quaternary Gibraltar Strait: Assessing the size fo a cataclysm. Geodinamica Acta, 15, 303–317.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonnet, J. (1989). Aspects of conservation and management of the sand-dune areas in Spain. In F. Van der Meulen, et al. (Eds.), Perspectives in coastal dune management: Towards a dynamic approach (pp. 269–275). Hague: SPB Academic Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Borja, F., Gutiérrez, J. M., & Díaz del Olmo, F. (1997). Fases de dunas durante el Holocene Reciente en el litoral de El Puerto de Santa María (Cádiz). Geogaceta, 21, 39–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Borja, F., Zazo, C., Dabrio, C. J., Díaz del Olmo, F., Goy, J. L., & Lario, J. (1999). Holocene aeolian phases and human settlements along the Atlantic coast of Southern Spain. The Holocene, 9(33), 333–339.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cáceres, L. M., Rodríguez-Vidal, J., Abad, M., Ruiz, F., Finlayson, C., Finlayson, G., et al. (2013). Modelo de construcción de dunas topográficas pleistocenas en la costa oriental de Gibraltar. In R. Baena, et al. (Eds.), VIII Reunión de Cuaternario Ibérico (pp. 155–158). La Rinconada, Sevilla: AEQUA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter, R. (1988). Coastal environments. Academic Press, 617 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dabrio, C. J., Zazo, C., Goy, J. L., Sierro, F. J., Borja, F., Lario, J., et al. (2000). Depositional history of estuarine infill during the last postglacial transgression (Gulf of Cadiz, Southern Spain). Marine Geology, 162, 381–404.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Winter, R. C., & Ruessink, B. G. (2017). Sensitivity analysis of climate change impacts on dune erosion: case study for the Dutch Holland coast. Climatic Change, 141, 685–701.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Del Río, L., Benavente, J., Gracia, F. J., Alonso, C., & Rodríguez-Polo, S. (2015a). Anthropogenic influence on spit dynamics at various timescales: Case study in the Bay of Cadiz (Spain). In G. Randazzo, et al. (Eds.), Sand and Gravel Spits (pp. 123–138). Dordrecht: Springer. (Coastal Research Library 12).

    Google Scholar 

  • Del Río, L., Benavente, J., Gracia, F. J., Alonso, C., Rodríguez-Vidal, J., & Anfuso, G. (2008). Los espacios protegidos del litoral gaditano. In F. J. Gracia (Ed.), Geomorfología de los espacios naturales protegidos de la provincia de Cádiz (pp. 103–195). S.E.G., University of Cádiz.

    Google Scholar 

  • Del Río, L., Benavente, J., Gracia, F. J., Anfuso, G., Martínez-del-Pozo, J. A., & Domínguez, L., et al. (2002). The quantification of coastal erosion processes in the South Atlantic Spanish coast: Methodology and preliminary results. In Proceedings of 6th International Conference on LITTORAL’2002, Eurocoast, Porto, Vol. 2, pp. 383–390.

    Google Scholar 

  • Del Río, L., Benavente, J., Gracia, F. J., & Chica, J. A. (2015b). Riesgos de erosión en la costa de Cádiz: gestión actual y perspectivas futuras. In G. Malvárez, et al. (Eds.), VIII Jornadas de Geomorfología Litoral. Geotemas, Vol. 15, pp. 149–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Del Río, L., Gracia, F. J., & Benavente, J. (2013). Shoreline change patterns in sandy coasts. A case study in SW Spain. Geomorphology, 196, 252–266.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Domínguez, L., Anfuso, G., & Gracia, F. J. (2005). Vulnerability assessment of a retreating coast in SW Spain. Environmental Geology, 47, 1037–1044.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • García de Lomas, J., Dana, E. D., Gimeno, D., García-Morilla, J., & Ceballos, G. (2014). Control de uña de león (Carpobrotus spp.; Aizoaceae) en la Isla de Tarifa. Revista de la Sociedad Gaditana de Historia Natural, 8, 31–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • García de Lomas, J., Gracia, F. J., & García, C. M. (2011). Las dunas como hábitats de interés comunitario. Problemas de conservación. In E. Sanjaume & F. J. Gracia (Eds.), Las dunas en España (pp. 585–606). Cádiz: Spanish Geomorphological Society.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gómez-Pina, G., Ramírez, J. L., Muñoz, J. J., & Ley, C. (2003). Valdevaqueros, historia de una duna. In M. A. Losada & M. C. Castillo (Eds.), VII Jornadas Españolas de Ingeniería de Costas y Puertos (pp. 1–11). Almería: Fundación para el Fomento de la Ingeniería del Agua.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodess, C. M., & Jones, P. D. (2002). Links between circulation and changes in the characteristics of iberian rainfall. International Journal of Climatology, 22, 1593–1615.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gracia, F. J. (2008). Costas bajas de la Península Ibérica. In A. García-Cortés, et al. (Eds.), Contextos geológicos españoles. Una aproximación al patrimonio geológico español de relevancia internacional (pp. 192–199). Madrid: Instituto Geológico y Minero de España.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gracia, F. J., Alonso, C., Martínez-del-Pozo, J. A., Del Río, L., Anfuso, G., & Benavente, J. (2004). Evolución geomorfológica holocena e histórica de la Ensenada de Los Lances (Tarifa, Cádiz). In R. Blanco (Eds.), Procesos geomorfológicos y evolución costera (pp. 255–269). University of Santiago de Compostela.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gracia, F. J., & Benavente, J. (2000). Geomorfología de la costa atlántica gaditana. In J. R. De Andrés & F. J. Gracia (Eds.), Geomorfología Litoral. Procesos activos (pp. 235–255). Cádiz: Monogr. S.E.G. 7, ITGE, Serv. Publ. Univ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gracia, F. J., Benavente, J., Alonso, C., Del Río, L., Abarca, J. M., García de Lomas, J., & Anfuso, G. (2011). Las dunas del litoral gaditano. In E. Sanjaume & F. J. Gracia (Eds.), Las dunas en España (pp. 359–384). Cádiz: Spanish Geomorphological Society.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gracia, F. J., Del Río, L., Alonso, C., Benavente, J., & Anfuso, G. (2006). Historical evolution and present state of the coastal dune systems in the Atlantic coast of Cádiz (SW Spain): Palaeoclimatic and environmental implications. Journal of Coastal Research, 48, 55–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gracia, F. J., Nuño, T., Del Río, L., & Benavente, J. (2013). Valdevaqueros, Cádiz: La difícil gestión de una gran duna móvil. Enseñanza de las Ciencias de la Tierra, 21(3), 332–335.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gracia, F. J., Ojeda, F., & Macías, A. (2008). El Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales. In F. J. Gracia (Ed.), Geomorfología de los espacios naturales protegidos de la provincia de Cádiz (pp. 57–82). S.E.G., University of Cádiz.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gracia, F. J., Rodríguez-Vidal, J., & Cáceres, L. M. (2005). Structural geomorphology and coastal neotectonics of the Gibraltar Strait. In F. J. Gracia (Eds.), Geomorphology of the South-Atlantic Spanish Coast (pp. 59–64). Zaragoza: Sixth International Conference on Geomorphology, Field trip guide A-4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hesp, P. (2002). Foredunes and blowouts: initiation, geomorphology and dynamics. Geomorphology, 48, 245–268.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoozemans, F. M. J., Marchand, M., & Pennekamp, H. A. (1993). A global vulnerability analysis: Vulnerability assessment for population, coastal wetlands and rice production on a global scale (2nd ed., p. 184). Delft: Delft Hydraulics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurrell, J. W. (1995). Decadal trends in the North Atlantic Oscillation regional temperatures and precipitation. Science, 269, 676–679.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiménez-Moreno, G., Rodríguez-Ramírez, A., Pérez-Asensio, J. N., Carrión, J. S., López-Sáez, J. A., Villarías-Robles, J. J. R., et al. (2015). Impact of late-Holocene aridification trend, climate variability and geodynamic control on the environment from a coastal area in SW Spain. The Holocene, 25(4), 607–617.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ley, C., Gallego-Frenández, J. B., & Vidal, C. (2007). Manual de restauración de dunas costeras. Madrid: Spanish Ministry of Environment. (258 pp).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lithgow, D., Martínez, M. L., Gallego-Fernández, J. B., Hesp, P. A., Flores, P., Gachuz, S., et al. (2013). Linking restoration ecology with coastal dune restoration. Geomorphology, 199, 214–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muñoz-Pérez, J. J., Navarro, M., Román-Sierra, J., Tejedor, B., Rodríguez, I., & Gómez-Pina, G. (2009). Long-term evolution of a transgressive migrating dune using reconstruction of the EOF method. Geomorphology, 112, 167–177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Navarro, M., Muñoz-Pérez, J. J., Román-Sierra, J., Ruiz-Cañavate, A., & Gómez-Pina, G. (2013). Análisis de la capacidad real de transporte eólico en el sistema dunar de Valdevaqueros (Tarifa). VII Jornadas de Geomorfología Litoral. Geotemas, 14, 91–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Navarro, M., Muñoz-Pérez, J. J., Román-Sierra, J., Ruiz-Cañavate, A., & Gómez-Pina, G. (2015). Characterization of wind-blown sediment transport with height in a highly mobile dune (SW Spain). Geol Acta, 13(2), 155–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Navarro, M., Muñoz-Pérez, J. J., Román-Sierra, J., Tsoar, H., Rodríguez, I., & Gómez-Pina, G. (2011). Assessment of highly active dune mobility in the medium, short and very short term. Geomorphology, 129, 14–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nordstrom, K. F. (2008). Beach and dune restoration. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (200 pp).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Plomaritis, T. A., Benavente, J., Laiz, I., & Del Río, L. (2015). Variability in storm climate along the Gulf of Cadiz: the role of large scale atmospheric forcing and implications to coastal hazards. Climate Dynamics, 45, 2499–2514.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rangel-Buitrago, N., & Anfuso, G. (2011). Morphological changes at Levante Beach (Cadiz, SW Spain) associated with storm events during the 2009–2010 winter season. Journal of Coastal Research, 57, 1886–1890.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rizzo, A., Aucelli, P. P. C., Gracia, F. J., & Anfuso, G. (2017). A novelty coastal susceptibility assessment method: Application to Valdelagrana area (SW Spain). Journal of Coastal Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-017-0552-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez Polo, S., Gracia, F. J., & Del Río, L. (2010). Retroceso costero en la flecha de Valdelagrana, El Puerto de Santa María (Cádiz). In X. Úbeda, et al. (Eds.), Avances de la geomorfología en España, 2008–2010 (pp. 75–78). Solsona: XI Nat Geomorph Meeting, University of Lleida, Centre Tecnològic Forestal de Catalunya.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez-Vidal, J., Cáceres, L. M., Ruiz, F., Abad, M., Finlayson, C., Finlayson, G., et al. (2010). Las arenas eólicas del Pleistoceno Superior en Gibraltar. Geogaceta, 48, 27–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez-Vidal, J., Finlayson, G., Finlayson, C., Negro, J. J., Cáceres, L. M., Fa, D. A., et al. (2013). Undrowning a lost world—The Marine Isotope Stage 3 landscape of Gibraltar. Geomorphology, 203, 105–114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez, J. L. (1988). Estudio climatológico de la Bahía de Cádiz. Instituto Hidrográfico de la Marina, Cádiz. Spanish Ministery of Defense, Madrid. 150 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Santonja, M., & Pérez González, A. (2010). Precisiones en torno a la edad y la industria lítica de El Aculadero (El Puerto de Santa María). Cuaternario y Arqueología. Libro homenaje a Francisco Giles Pacheco. Diputación de Cádiz, Asociación Profesional del Patrimonio Histórico-Arqueológico de Cádiz, pp. 19–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trigo, R. M., Pozo, D., Osborn, T. J., Castro, Y., Gámiz, S., & Esteban, M. J. (2004). North Atlantic Oscillation influence of precipitation, river flow and water resources in the Iberian Peninsula. International Journal of Climatology, 24, 925–944.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zazo, C., Goy, J. L., Somoza, L., Dabrio, C. J., Belluomini, G., Improta, S., et al. (1994). Holocene sequence of sea-level fluctuations in relation to climatic trends in the Atlantic-Mediterranean linkage coast. Journal of Coastal Research, 10, 933–945.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zazo, C., Silva, P. G., Goy, J. L., Hillaire-Marcel, C., Ghaleb, B., Lario, J., et al. (1999). Coastal uplift in continental collision plate boundaries: data from the Last Interglacial marine terraces of the Gibraltar Strait area (South Spain). Tectonophysics, 301, 95–109.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dpto. Ciencias de la Tierra, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales, Universidad de Cádiz, 11510, Puerto Real, Spain

    F. Javier Gracia, Laura Del Río, María Aranda, Giorgio Anfuso, Lara Talavera, Juan B. Montes & Javier Benavente

Authors
  1. F. Javier Gracia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Laura Del Río
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. María Aranda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Giorgio Anfuso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Lara Talavera
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Juan B. Montes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Javier Benavente
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. Javier Gracia .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain

    Juan A. Morales

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Javier Gracia, F. et al. (2019). Dunes in the Gibraltar Strait Realm. In: Morales, J. (eds) The Spanish Coastal Systems. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93169-2_28

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation