Hydraulic and Geomorphological Hazards at Wetland Geosites Along the Eastern Coast of Salento (SE Italy)

The stretch of eastern Salento coastline between Casalabate and the Cesine area, in the province of Lecce (Apulia, Italy), is characterized for over 35 km by sandy beaches of limited extension bordered laterally by small rock promontories and inland by a system of dunes, extensively eroded by sea waves and anthropogenic actions. These dune systems separated the beach environment from extensive wetlands that occupied more or less narrow morphological depressions. These wetlands are sites of geological interest both in the planning tools of the City of Lecce and in the register of the Geosites operated by the Apulia Region: they are precious witnesses of the natural coastal landscape that characterized the eastern sector of Salento until 1960. These areas also allow us to observe those phenomena no longer visible nowadays in the swamp areas totally occupied by inhabited centers: in particular, sinkhole processes may occur, causing damage to the houses and to the road network. Numerous cases have affected in particular the village of Casalabate, but also other sites as Torre Rinalda and Spiaggiabella. To these phenomena, floods have to be added, which determine a high hydraulic and geomorphological hazard in the area. Recognition of the wetlands as a significant geological heritage in the Apulian coastline should proceed through the understanding of the phenomena at the origin of the swamp areas. Awareness of the geological processes involved, and of the likely geological hazards as well, should include the use of didactic panels explaining the phenomena to landowners and inhabitants. Furthermore, such an approach could provide useful insights to the local administrators, aimed at developing and putting into practice the measures necessary for risk mitigation.