The accumulation of dead leaves of Posidonia oceanica (banquettes) is a natural process along Mediterranean coasts, providing important ecosystem services such as beach nourishment and protection against coastal erosion. Despite their ecological relevance, banquettes remain poorly investigated, particularly regarding their geomorphological characteristics and composition, which are essential for supporting sustainable management practices. In many tourist areas, banquettes are routinely removed as waste, to improve the aesthetic appeal of recreational beaches, leading to significant environmental impacts. In situ surveys of banquettes are crucial to evaluate the effects of the different management options, and to assess their effectiveness in the protection from coastal erosion, particularly during extreme storms, in climate change scenarios.

To this aim, in spring 2026, the geomorphological, sedimentological, and chromatic characteristics of banquettes and associated sediments were investigated at two coastal sites, showing different hydrodynamic conditions and human impact levels, along the Cilento coast (Agropoli, Italy): Lido Azzurro and Baia di Trentova. Standardised protocols were used for sample collection (both sediments and banquettes) and analyses of the banquette composition (leaf/sediment ratio) and sediment granulometry. The following parameters were also recorded: beach and deposit geometric extent, deposit slope (%), morphosedimentary features and colour characteristics with CIE-LAB colour space coordinates.

Here, we present the methodological approach and preliminary results of in situ surveys of banquettes along the Cilento coast which provide important insights of the beaching dynamics of these deposits and their interaction with coastal. The geomorphological characterization, banquette composition and sediment analysis, integrated with information on local anthropogenic pressures, highlighted distinct accumulation dynamics. These findings support site-specific beach management strategies, promoting in situ preservation of banquettes where they contribute to sediment balance and coastal resilience, while guiding selective clean-up actions in areas subject to higher anthropogenic impacts.