News

BERMS project concludes with final seminar in Bari  

Research and dialogue for the sustainable management of sandy beaches.

Published: 22 March 2026 

On 20 March 2026, the Department of Earth and Geoenvironmental Sciences of the University of Bari hosted the final seminar of the BERMS project – Beach EnviRonMentS: towards a holistic approach for the study of sandy beaches. The event was a key opportunity to present and discuss the main outcomes of the project, bringing together researchers, academics, and students interested in coastal systems.

Following the institutional welcome by Prof. Annamaria Fornelli, the seminar was introduced and chaired by the project leaders: Prof. Massimo Moretti (University of Bari, Principal Investigator) and Prof. Salvatore Critelli (University of Calabria).

Several scientific contributions were presented, focusing on the integrated analysis of sandy beaches in southern Italy, with special attention to three study areas:

• Integrated geophysical and ecological studies at Torre Guaceto;

• Petrographic analyses and sediment dynamics at the Sibari site;

• The role of biotic components in shoreline evolution, with a focus on Porto Cesareo.

The seminar concluded with a round table discussion on integrated coastal monitoring, followed by closing remarks from the project coordinators. The day provided a valuable opportunity to explore innovative methodologies for coastal research and to promote multidisciplinary approaches to the sustainable management of sandy beaches.

BERMS- Beach EnviRonMentS: towards a holistic approach for the study of sandy beaches