The Velez River mouth (Malaga province, Spain). Recent evolution of a delta with mediterranean behaviour

Abstract

We present the mouth evolution of a little mediterranean bassin during the Holocene, and how the environmentals conditions -specially heavy rain and deforestation- finally could created a delta. By the way, the human activity could be the origin of a recent inverse evolution during the last fifty years. We demonstrate a clear land degradation (areal losses) increasing the area occupied by the sea since some engineering construction were developed in the nearly area. We have measured both important losses of useful land over the delta, as sea depth increasing, and, consequently, also increasing of surf zone slope, perhaps doubt to modifications of the drainage bassin and the near beachs. We also present evidences of this problems, and its probably origin.