 This study tested the use of structure from motion, SFM, to create a high resolution digital surface model, DSM, of a beach dune system using unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs. The SFM technique was compared to a terrestrial laser scanning, TLS, survey, and found to have similar accuracy when measuring vertical differences. The UAV based approach was also shown to be a straightforward method, and its accuracy was comparable to that of TLS technology. This article was authored by Francesco Mancini, Marco Dabbini, Mario Gatelli, and others.