Dr Ana Vila-Concejo

ARC-APDI Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Madsen Building (F09), Rm 423
Phone: +61 2 9351 5190
Fax: +61 2 9351 3644
Email:

I am interested in the processes and morphology of coastal systems. My career started in Spain, where I did my undergraduate and MSc studying urban beaches; and Portugal, where I completed my PhD investigating the short and medium term evolution of tidal inlets in a barrier island system. At present, I am looking into the morphodynamics of flood-tide deltas in wave-dominated coasts within the framework of an ARC funded linkage project. Other areas of interest are coastal erosion and hazards including consequences of climate change.

I am a keen fieldworker and have experience in acquiring and processing hydrodynamic, topographic and bathymetric data. I have also worked with fluorescent tracers for studying sediment transport processes. At present, I am also using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a tool to analyse recent and present data.

• Matias, A., Ferreira, Ó, Vila-Concejo, A., Garcia, T., Dias, J.M.A., in press. Classification of washover dynamics in barrier islands. Geomorphology, 97 (3-4), 655-674.
• Pacheco, A., Vila-Concejo, A., Ferreira, Ó., Dias, J.M.A., 2008. Assessment of tidal inlet evolution and stability using sediment budget computations and hydraulic parameter analysis. Marine Geology, 247(1-2), 104-127.
• Vila-Concejo, A., Short, A.D., Hughes, M.G., Ranasinghe, R., 2007. Flood-tide delta morphodynamics and management implications, Port Stephens, Australia. Journal of Coastal Research, SI(50), 705-709. [PDF]
• Vila-Concejo, A., Matias, A., Ferreira, Ó., Dias, J.M.A., 2006. Inlet sediment bypassing to a downdrift washover plain. Journal of Coastal Research, SI(39), 401-405. [PDF]
• Pacheco, A., Carrasco, A.R., Vila-Concejo, A., Ferreira, Ó., Dias, J.M.A., in press. Recent evolution of the Faro Channel and its association to dredging operations. Journal of Coastal Research, SI(39), 572-577. [PDF]
• Bell, P.S., Williams, J.J., Clark, S., Morris, B.D., Vila-Concejo, A., in press. Nested radar systems for remote coastal observations. Journal of Coastal Research, SI(39), 483-487. [PDF]
• Pacheco, A., Carrasco, A.R., Vila-Concejo, A., Ferreira, Ó., Dias, J.M.A., 2007. A coastal management program for access channels located in backbarrier systems. Ocean and Coastal Management, 50, 119-143.
• Vila-Concejo, A., Matias, A., Pacheco, A., Ferreira, Ó., Dias, J.M.A., 2006. Inlet hazard determination in the Ria Formosa barrier island system (Portugal). Continental Shelf Research, 26/9, 1045-1060.
• Alejo, I., Costas, S., Vila-Concejo, A., 2005. Littoral evolution as a response to human action: the case of two sedimentary systems in a Galician Ra. Journal of Coastal Research, SI(49), 64-69.
• Costas, S., Alejo, I., Vila-Concejo, A., Nombela, M.A., 2005. Persistence of storm induced morphology on a modal low-energy beach. A case study from NW Iberian Peninsula. Marine Geology, 224, 43-56.
• Matias, A., Ferreira, Ó., Mendes, I., Dias, J.M.A., Vila-Concejo, A., 2005. Artificial construction of dunes in the South of Portugal. Journal of Coastal Research, 21(3), 472-481
• Vila-Concejo, A., Ferreira, Ó., Matias, A., Morris, B.D., Dias, J.M.A., 2004. Lessons from inlet relocation: Examples from Southern Portugal. Coastal Engineering, 51, 967-990.
• Vila-Concejo, A., Ferreira, Ó., Ciavola, P., Matias, A., Dias, J.M.A., 2004. Tracer studies on the updrift margin of a complex inlet system. Marine Geology, 208/1, 43-72.
• Matias, A., Ferreira, Ó., Dias, J.M.A., Vila-Concejo, A., 2004. Performance of dune recovery techniques: an example on the South Coast of Portugal. Coastal Engineering, 51: 261-276.
• Vila-Concejo, A., Ferreira, Ó., Matias, A., Dias, J.M.A., 2003. The two first years of an inlet: Sedimentary Dynamics. Continental Shelf Research, 23: 1425-1445.
• Dias, J.M.A., Ferreira, Ó., Matias, A., Vila-Concejo, A., Sa-Pires, C., 2003. Evaluation of soft protection techniques in barrier islands by monitoring programs: case studies from Ria Formosa (Algarve-Portugal). Journal of Coastal Research. SI (35): 117-131.
• Williams, J.J., O'Connor, B.A.O., Arens, S.M., Abadie, S., Bell, P., Balouin, Y., Van Boxel, J.H., Do Carmo, A.J., Davidson, M., Ferreira, Ó., Heron, M., Howa, H., Hughes, Z., Kaczmarec, L.M., Kim, H., Morris, B., Nicholson, J., Pan, S., Salles, P., Silva, A., Smith, J., Soares, C., Vila-Concejo, A., 2003. Tidal inlet function: field evidence and numerical simulation in the INDIA project. Journal of Coastal Research, 19(1):189-211.
• Vila-Concejo, A., Alejo, I., Vilas, F., 2002. Monitoring of a beach with strong antropogenic impact using topographic and bathymetric techniques, Shore and Beach, 70(2): 3-10.
• Vila-Concejo, A., Matias, A., Ferreira, Ó., Duarte, C., Dias, J.M.A., 2002. Recent evolution of the natural inlets of a barrier island system in Southern Portugal. Journal of Coastal Research. SI(36): 741-752.

GEOS 3009/3909 - Coastal Environments and Processes

2007-2010: Port Stephens Flood tide Delta: Shoreline Management Issues. ARC Linkage-Project. Jeng, D.-S., Vila Concejo, A., Short, A. D., Hughes, M. G. and Ranasinghe, R. J.

Offered

These projects, included in an ARC-Linkage grant, can be undertaken under the Geography or Geology and Geophysics honours programs.

• Nourishment monitoring in Jimmy's Beach: Jimmy’s beach has been undergoing erosion for over 40 years. Great Lakes Council is about the start a nourishment program where they will dredge sediment from a sandwave located in Yacaaba Barrier near the head land. The sediment will then be used to nourish Jimmy’s beach. This project involves a strong field component, with periodic topographic surveys. The student will deal with data regarding topography, sediment transport and hydrodynamics (waves and currents). There is also the possibility of complementing field studies using commercial numerical models such as DHI-Litpack. This study will complement previous honours theses undertaken in the area by Michelle Frolich, Lara Ainley and Gen Pezzimenti
• Shoal Bay beach morphodynamics: Shoal Bay beach has also been undergoing erosion for over 40 years and we have already started a detailed morphodynamic study. There is data available to start honours directly and there is also the chance of collecting more data in the future. The student will deal with data regarding topography, sediment transport and hydrodynamics (waves and currents). There is also the possibility of complementing field studies using commercial numerical models such as DHI-Litpack.

Current

• Genoveffa Pezzimenti (2008) Tidal and wave-induced longshore transport on a low energy estuarine beach on a wave-dominated coast, Port Stephens, NSW. Honours in Geology.

Completed

• Lara Ainley (2007) Sediment transport on Jimmy's Beach, NW: Implications for coastal erosion. Honours in Geophysics.
• Michelle Frolich (2007) Recent morphological evolution of the Port Stephens flood-tide delta. Honours in Geography.

GEOS 3009/3909 - Coastal Environments and Processes