Date Presented:

Abstract:

This study focuses on the phenomenon of erosion regarding the coastal dune system in
Naxos island (Cyclades), Greece. In the western coastal zone of Naxos, several dune
fields are observed. Despite the fact that erosion on the inland has become more intense
during the last years, providing thus sufficient material for the development of new dune
fields, the current dunes are retreating.
Climate variability and prolonged human activities are the major components that lead to
the dunes’ modification, which is a sign of desertification that comes in accordance with
the recent climate change. The climatic factors that are probably involved in the dunes’
erosion are the aeolian blow and the precipitation, which may act in counterbalance to the
dunes formation. The climatic data that were used in the analysis include daily values of
precipitation and wind speed, acquired from the Hellenic National Meteorological Service,
for the period from 1955 to 2003.
This study results in the main reasons for the retreat of the dune fields, namely
anthropogenic constructions, whose intensity increases because of the touristic
development on the western coastal zone, climatic conditions and wave processes.