Morphodynamics of nearshore rhythmic forms: An energy-based classification

The present paper describes the bar system at Lido di Dante (Ravenna, Italy), a 3 Km beach facing the northern Adriatic Sea. The system shows a twofold behavior. A visual classification of the bar plan shape is presented in order to find a relation between the state of the system and the forcing conditions. If the total energy of storms exceeds a certain threshold, the changes between morphodynamics states are controlled by the forcing parameters (storms). However, under calm conditions the system returns to equilibrium, independently from the forcing signal, following a self-organization behavior. The area is strongly influenced by the room available for the bars. The available space is controlled by the position of the Bevano river mouth that represents the southern boundary of the study site.