Human Impacts over Sandy Beaches

LAITANO, MARÍA VICTORIA.; JESÚS DARÍO NUÑEZ; CHIARADIA NICOLAS MARIANO

Sandy Beaches as Endangered Ecosystems Environmental Problems, Possible Assessment and Management Solutions

CRC Press is an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Año: 2022; p. 54 - 89

have several other important ecological functions, such as their crucial contributionin the decomposition of organic matter and in nutrients recycling, being functionallinks between the terrestrial and the marine domains. The comprehension of thesefeatures is extremely important to help decision makers opting for the most adequatesolution when problems arise, as well as raising awareness among common citizensto adopt more ecological and sustainable behaviours. The example of the 2020’sCOVID-19 pandemic, during which some municipalities around the world executeda sand disinfection with sodium hypochlorite (bleach) in public beaches. Unawarethat a sandy beach is a living entity, those who employed this strategy with goodintentions, contributed to an ecological crime. It is hoped that the informationprovided by this book, as well as other similar publications, may reach publicopinion to avoid similar situations in the future.From an anthropocentric perspective, beaches offer several goods and servicesto humans. They are fishing areas for fish, shellfish and bait harvesting; offercoastal protection from extreme storm surges; and keep a multitude of touristicand recreational activities. Beaches are vital for tourism-based economies. In manyregions of the world (for instance, in the Mediterranean), these ecosystems are themain asset that allows maintaining the tourism industry. Hence, tourism in coastalzones and recreational activities on the beach have drastically intensified in thelast decades, acting as extra stressors, besides the ones derived from increasedurbanization in the coastline, caused by the growth and expansion of humanpopulations.Presently, sandy beaches are also one of the most endangered ecosystemson our planet. A vast array of human activities and infrastructures severely affectthese environments, especially in the most populated coastal areas. In fact, mostcountries that have a straight connection with the sea, present a higher populationdensity near the coast than on their inland territory. For instance, the introductionof urbanistic and touristic facilities on the beach and its surrounding areas, oftencauses habitat degradation and fragmentation, disturbance of the ecological balancein these natural areas, as well as simultaneously promoting beach erosion. Onthe other hand, global climate changes and their consequences, such as retrievalof the coastline driven by sea level rise, are already an imminent threat in severalcoastal areas around the world.In this context, monitoring and assessing the environmental disturbancesoccurring in sandy beaches, and the responses of their different components (bioticand abiotic), has become a priority, if adequate management and conservationstrategies are to be developed and implemented. Specific tools encompassing thephysical environment and the biota, at different levels of ecological organization,as well as suitable management, conservation actions and programmes where theecologic, economic and social dimensions are comprehensively integrated, aretherefore pivotal. Relying on the vast expertise and understanding of a team withinternationally renowned scientists, who have joined us on this adventure, thisbook aims to consolidate knowledge about these issues. It also intends to pointout future directions that can guide researchers, managers, stakeholders, policydecision makers, plus graduation and post-graduation students, towards a moresustainable path while working with sandy beaches. Only this way will we continueto enjoy nature and the environment that surround us, hopefully in a consciousand respectful way.Meanwhile, we still can have the privilege of putting our bare feet firmly inthe sand, feel its grains caress our soles, running in between our toes. We mayscrutinize the horizon, stare at the tranquilizing beauty of a sunset or a sunriseon the beach (depending on where we stand) and be cradled by the sound of thewaves crashing into the shore. As we close our eyes and take a deep breath, wemay linger on the idea that tomorrow will be another day.