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The Tróia Peninsula—An Aeolian Sedimentological Legacy

2020; Springer Nature (Netherlands); Linguagem: Inglês

10.1007/978-3-319-03641-0_7

2213-2104

Carlos Neto, Miguel Geraldes, Diana Almeida,

Geological formations and processes

The integration of studies from fields, such as geomorphologyGeomorphology, palynologyPalynology, historyHistory, archaeologyArchaeology and phytogeographyPhytogeography, enables assessing the genesis and evolution of the most prominent Portuguese sand spitSand spit—the Tróia PeninsulaTróia Peninsula. Data suggests that the spit has formed from Grimaldian dunesGrimaldian dunes converted into barrier islandsBarrier islands during the HoloceneHolocene transgression, and coalesced by the accumulation of sedimentsSediments transported by the northbound longshore drift. The Tróia PeninsulaTróia Peninsula is integrated in one of the most important Portuguese natural protected areas. It holds a set of flora and vegetation of paramount relevance towards protection and conservation in accordance with the Natura 2000Natura 2000 Network. Its position acts as a barrier against the Atlantic OceanAtlantic ocean, having allowed the development of the Sado estuary lagoonSado estuary lagoon, which contains mud flats and salt marsh ecosystemsSalt marsh ecosystems, habitats for a wide range of flora and fauna, some of which with special protection status. The Tróia PeninsulaTróia Peninsula forms indeed a natural protective barrier for theNatural Reserve of the Sado Estuary Natural Reserve of the Sado EstuarySado estuary lagoon. The genesis of the peninsula, discussed in the present work, combined with the fact that it is made up exclusively of sand, make it very vulnerable to environmental changes, including sea level riseSea level rise.