Touristic urbanization and greening of coastal dune fields: A long-term assessment of a temperate sandy barrier of Argentina

Abstract

Dune barrier systems represent highly sought-after coastal landscapes for tourism and urban development around the world. However, a century ago, they were considered hazardous environments due to their great dynamic nature. As a result, stabilization practices were considered necessary. The systematic introduction of fast-growing exotic trees helped stabilize the sand, making it easier for tourism urbanization to take place, but also leading to erosion processes. This paper aims to assess long-term changes in vegetation cover over a large temperate barrier in Argentina. This complex region includes urban resorts, afforestation zones, and protected areas. A GIS-based geospatial analysis was conducted using a large satellite database (> 350 images), and the future evolution of the vegetation was modeled. The results revealed two primary spatiotemporal patterns associated with a gradual expansion of vegetation cover, accompanied by a concurrent reduction in sandy areas. In 1986, the dune area comprised 75% more surface than vegetation, whereas in 2021, it represented 60% less than vegetation. Furthermore, the 2050 scenario suggests a potential 40% reduction of dunes in certain areas. It is necessary to enhance management actions aimed at maintaining dune mobility and ensuring local and regional sediment balance. Long-term management strategies must focus on restoring native plant communities and controlling invasive species, and avoiding new dune fixation initiatives based on the introduction of exotic species.