This paper shows coastal evolution along the Andalusia Region (Spain) and the
impacts on it of coastal structures. The study area was divided into 47 units to calculate the
erosion/accretion/stability (or evolution) rates by using the DSAS extension of ArcGIS software.
Evolution rates were divided into different classes from “Very high accretion” to “Very high erosion”.
As a result, 9 units recorded accretion, 19 stability and 19 erosion. Further, 17 units presented
a positive balance and 28 units a negative one, showing a negative net balance of 29,738.4 m2/year
corresponding to the loss of 1784.30 km2 of beach surface in the 1956–2016 period. The distribution of
evolution areas along the studied coast was carried out by means of the “R” project for statistical
computing. The analysis evidenced the impact of rigid structures: accretion was essentially
observed up-drift of ports and groins and in correspondence of protection structures, especially
of breakwaters. Erosion classes were observed down-drift of ports and groins and in correspondence
of revetments/seawalls, and at largest river deltas, and “stability” was observed at pocket beaches
and coastal areas locally stabilized by protection structures. Last, results were used to determine the
distribution of swash- and drift-aligned coastal sectors and main direction of sedimentary transport