Spatiotemporal Evolution of Coastal Dune Systems in the Çukurova Delta Plain: A Multitemporal Analysis Using Historical Aerial Photographs and UAV-Based Photogrammetry

Coastal dune systems are dynamic landforms shaped by aeolian processes, in which onshore winds transport and deposit sediments behind natural or artificial barriers. The Çukurova Delta Plain, Turkey’s largest delta along the Eastern Mediterranean, contains extensive dune fields, particularly within the Seyhan and Ceyhan Deltas. Despite technological advances in UAV photogrammetry and Structure-from-Motion (SfM) techniques, studies on coastal dune dynamics in Turkey remain scarce. This study demonstrates the first comprehensive assessment of the spatiotemporal evolution of coastal dunes in the Çukurova Delta Plain. Historical aerial photographs and high-resolution UAV imagery were analyzed to evaluate long-term and seasonal morphological changes. The results indicate notable spatial and temporal variability in sediment budgets, with distinct erosion and accretion patterns across the two deltas. While some dune segments remained stable over decades, others displayed strong seasonal responses to wind and sediment dynamics. These findings enhance the understanding of deltaic coastal geomorphology and provide critical insights for sustainable management of vulnerable dune ecosystems under increasing human and climatic pressures.