Search

Beaches, as a subset of coastal environments, can generate great economic values. Among various beach management strategies, laws and regulations are one of the most powerful tools, yet they are often overlooked. In China, where all beaches are public or community-owned, this study reviews the existing institutional instruments related to beach management at the national, provincial, and urban levels, including current laws, policies, and the latest 14th Five-Year Plans. Of the 127 laws and regulations identified (comprising 18 national, 53 provincial, and 56 urban ones), many lack clear definitions, adequate protection for beach-dune systems, and efficient enforcement mechanisms. This study analyzes these gaps and challenges, further suggesting improvements, such as, rectifying the legal status deficiency of beach resources, emphasizing the protection of the integrated beach-dune system, refining restricted "lines" demarcation, and improving enforcement ability. Through comprehensive analysis and practical recommendations, this study provides a roadmap for enhancing China's existing legal framework, urging for the enactment of national and local specialized legislation to protect vulnerable beach resources. It further underscores the importance of robust legislative measures in achieving long-term sustainable environment protection and development goals. These findings are expected to contribute to the improvement of beach management not only in China but also provide meaningful insights for global coastal nations and regions. • Beach management in China's legal framework was analyzed. • Gaps in current beach-related laws and policies were identified. • The importance of coastal 'lines' demarcation was highlighted. • Improvements for sustainable beach use were proposed. • The need for specialized beach legislation was stressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Beach Certification Schemes (BCS), especially the Blue Flag (BF), have received increasing attention in the literature. The critics of BF focus their attention on aspects that certification was not designed for, confusing its role as a beach management tool with a panacea for all challenges faced by tourist beaches. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to review empirical studies on aspects that generate controversy, and to provide arguments and new perspectives on the role and scope of BF and BCS. The paper also identifies research gaps and proposes directions of future studies. The issues are discussed through six major themes highlighting the true value of Blue Flag for urban, village and rural beaches. The paper calls for more empirical and comprehensive studies that evaluate beaches before and after BF implementation, documenting the differences BF has made to specific beaches and entire beach destinations including their economic and political context. Highlights • Certifications are beach management tools not designed to respond to all challenges. • Strengths of beach certifications have not been studied; hence their low perceived value. • Blue Flag is a powerful tool to align political will towards beach management. • Certifications can be cost effective despite their low recognition by users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The main purpose of the study is to evaluate the economic value related to beach preservation by elicitation of the willingness to pay (WTP). This analysis is based on the results of about 5000 interviews conducted on 41 different Italian beaches. A Contingent Valuation (CV) – a closed-ended dichotomous choice model with a follow-up question - approach is used to elicit WTP. Results of the whole sample indicate that respondents would be willing to pay a contribution of almost 15 €/yr per user in order to preserve the beach. WTP is also calculated for natural, semi-urban and urban beach typologies. The analysis shows that beach typologies affect the WTP and similarities and significant differences of each typology are found according to respondents' sociometric indicators. Highlights • Italian value of WTP for beach preservation is 14.84€. • Italian beach-goers show low knowledge of beach issues and management. • Logit model for evaluating the probability of a positive WTP are constructed. • Beach urbanization level and beach typologies are significant predictors of tourists' WTP. • WTP decreases from natural to semi-urban and finally to urban beaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Tourism provides about 11% of Catalonia's GDP, with most accommodations placed being associated with the "sun-and-sand" model. Since beaches are the main resource to be exploited, it is important to assess how their future evolution can affect this economic sector. Accordingly, we present a methodology to assess the effect of shoreline evolution on beach recreational carrying capacity (BCC) at different territorial scales considering different climate change scenarios. Our results suggest that by 2050, in the absence of climate change, tourist BCC will decrease down to 83% of current values due to the dominant erosive behaviour of the Catalan coast. When sea-level rise is considered, BCC will decrease further, with expected values ranging from 74% to 53% of current capacity for the tested scenarios (RCP4.5 and High-end respectively). Hence, current erosional trends are adverse for future development of coastal tourism in Catalonia, and accelerated sea-level rise exacerbates this adverse situation. The adopted methodology permits to locate hotspots along the territory where local BCC values collapse as well as to predict when this will occur under a given climatic scenario. Moreover, the use of different spatial scales to integrate BCC permits to test management strategies to sustaining the recreational use of beaches. Highlights • Beach carrying capacity model at a given management scale reflects user's mobility. • BCC analysis shows high sensitivity of coastal tourism to future conditions. • Spatial variability on future BCC due to coastline evolution and beach morphology. • Tourist BCC projections show significant decrease unless taking adaptation actions. • Prospective tourist BCC will be worse considering climate change-induced effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A dune restoration program was initiated by the City of South Padre Island, Texas in 2010 consisting primarily of plantings of Sea Oats, Uniola paniculata , and Bitter Panicum, Panicum amarum , and has continued annually thereafter. These restoration efforts were evaluated by comparing selected metrics of ecosystem structure and function among reference and restoration plots ranging in age (time after planting) from 2 to 5 years. Plant and animal communities were examined using a combination of quadrat sampling, funnel traps, pit-falls, and sweep nets. Soil organic content and soil electrical conductivity were also measured. Dune volumes and heights were calculated using a 2013 Lidar DEM. Plant communities were similar across 2 and 4 year-old plots but differed markedly among 2 and 5 year-old plots and between all restoration plots and undisturbed reference plots. After 5 years, restoration plots had 15 plant species, while reference plots had 19. Animal communities followed a similar trend in which all restoration plots differed from the reference plots with the exception of 5 year-old plots which were similar. More time seems necessary for restored dunes to accumulate soil organic matter at levels similar to natural dunes which is still about three times higher. There was a significant positive correlation between plot age and dune heights. These results suggest the native dune plant revegetation as implemented by the City of South Padre Island from 2010 to 2015 is successful in fostering plant and animal community succession and potentially increasing coastal resiliency. Highlights: - Revegetation efforts quickly improve habitat for most local dune plant and animal species. - Plant community in restored dunes remains different compared to references dunes. - Soil organic matter is much lower in restored dunes after five years. - Revegetation with few foundation species fosters the return of native dune communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Throughout the scientific literature, beaches have been regarded as very valuable ecosystems for the tourism industry; however, these ecosystems provide multiple direct and indirect benefits beyond tourism. This paper accounts for the results from a Willingness to Pay (WTP) study using data from 425 respondents at three beaches in the Colombian Caribbean Region. Out of the respondents from the three beaches, over 70% expressed a positive WTP to maintain Beach Ecosystem Services (BES) beyond tourism purposes. At two beaches, the payment amount was 3.40 US$/month, while at the third beach the payment amount was 6.80 US$/month. Beach environmental quality seemed to be an important aspect regarding the payment amount. It is highlighted that WTP in beaches did not depend on economic variables such as income or employment, whereas variables related to perception had a determining impact. WTP for BES was defined by interest in environmental issues and concerns about ecosystem services loss. The results offered hereto could provide support to decision makers through quantitative information on social preferences regarding beach improvement projects policies, if several reflections are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beach ecosystem provides services that produce substantial economic value. Different functions of beach resources (recreation and tourism, amenity, coastal protection, biodiversity, etc.) perform inherently different characteristics and contribute diversely to human welfare and fortune. Yet, there have been rare quantification estimations for economic contributions of beaches to human life. Here, framework of beach ecosystem services based on key functions is established, then a series of integrated quantification methods are summarized by published literature and a few novel estimations. Economic contributions of beach resources are obtained through application in fifty-nine coastal cities of China in recent ten years. Spatial added values in real estate benefiting from beaches are separated out economically for the first time. In China, beach resources of 3100 km generate an economic value of at least ¥4.00 × 1012 ($579.60 × 109) during the time interval 2010–2019. Furthermore, legislation, international tourism competitiveness, beach nourishment and restoration issues are discussed; dynamic pattern and healthy-recycled beach economy are creatively proposed according to the needs of sustainable development. This study explores the interface between ecosystem services and economics for beach resources, provides straight recognition upon beaches' economic contribution (least estimation), and promotes understanding of social and natural impacts on China's beach economy. • A holistic framework of economic estimation for beach resources is established and applied with time and space in national scale. • Spatial added value in real estate benefiting from beach resources is separated out of housing price in China's coastal cities for the first time. • Dynamic pattern and healthy-recycled beach economy are creatively proposed according to the needs of sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of beaches is a very important factor for attracting tourists. Continuous improvement of beach quality is an important goal for coastal countries such as Italy, where “beach and sun” tourism is a prominent contributor to the economy. The challenge for beach managers is both to protect the environmental quality of beaches and improve the quality of tourist experience. An integrated Beach Quality Index (BQI) to evaluate “Environmental Quality” and “Human Welfare & Health” was designed. It was applied to three different types of beaches, (urban, semi-urban and semi-rural), on the Adriatic coast. The BQI allowed an assessment of (i) the overall beach quality; (ii) individual aspects of beach quality on three types of beaches; (iii) the main strengths and weaknesses of the study beaches; and (iv) priorities for future management. The overall quality was evaluated as “Excellent” at the Cesenatico Levante – Porto Canale Sud (urban) and Marina di Ravenna (semi-urban) beaches and as “Good” at Bellocchio (semi-rural) beach. However, some of the individual aspects of beach quality had lower values, which show a potential for improvement through onsite management. The composite index is a useful tool for evaluating beach quality and to support the decision making process. It identified possible management responses for improving the beach quality of the study sites to propose to the responsible authorities. Moreover, it can significantly contribute to the development of Beach Management Framework aimed to support an effective management of individual beaches, enhance beach tourism, boost income, and in long term, to support a sustainable development of coastal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal areas experience multiple pressures from anthropogenic activities that negatively change the ecological and environmental status of beaches and impact human welfare. The focus of this paper is coastal erosion, an issue that is very relevant for Argentina, the second largest nation in Latin America with an extensive coastline of nearly 5000 km. Coastal erosion decreases the attractiveness of coastal areas for tourism development, leading to considerable economic impacts. In this paper, two complementary approaches, the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) and the Systems Approach Framework (SAF), were used to analyse two beach resorts in Argentina: Monte Hermoso and Pehuen Co. Application of the SAF included stakeholder mapping, governance (institutional) mapping and issue identification. During the participatory meetings with stakeholders and decision makers, the problem of coastal erosion was identified as the most important in the region. The joint approach of DPSIR and SAF contributed to: (i) the determination and description of the economic drivers of coastal erosion; (ii) the identification of the associated activities and pressures; (iii) the assessment of the ecological and environmental state of coastal areas; (iv) the assessment of impacts of environmental changes on human wellbeing; and finally (v) a proposal of the possible management responses for mitigating the coastal erosion problem and the sustainable development of the region to the responsible authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of a rise in tourism in Pingtan, beach resources are threatened by various pressures. This paper proposes beach management strategies for developing tourism on the island, using the experience of developed tourist islands. Pingtan and Xiamen were selected as case studies. This paper addresses beach management practices implemented on both islands, and the important factors affecting the effectiveness of beach management. The results show that the beach environment on both islands vary in types of use. In Xiamen, the coastal management scheme, beach nourishment, and coastal environment improvement programs played important roles in island beach management, according to our analysis of beach management processes. Certainly some negative aspects occurred in urban and tourism development. Comparison of beach management through SWOT analysis between locations indicates that the lack of a management scheme is the primary reason why beach management is so limited, and several environmental problems exist in Pingtan. Both islands implemented beach nourishment as their primary management activity for tourism development. This suggests that beach managers should learn from experiences, and put forward appropriate strategies in the future. For effective beach management, Pingtan also needs to establish interactive participation mechanisms, and enhance public awareness and local managers’ perspective of public involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beaches are one of the most popular sites used for recreation and spare time by people, being a zone with a constant evolution due to the combined effects of coastal currents, waves and tides. Sometimes, interaction of these processes with local bathymetry causes formation of rip currents (RCs), which are related with accidents to swimmers that even cause drownings. These accidents are strengthened by the lack of information and awareness of RCs, in addition to poor and insufficient beach surveillance. Santiago Bay (SB) (Manzanillo, Mexico), has beaches with great recreational value visited by many tourists every year. Unfortunately SB is not exempt of having potentially dangerous RCs (there is not an official number of accidents reported), and their spatial and temporal variation has not been extensively studied. Due to this lack of data, several research campaigns have been made since 2013 to identify, register and characterize RCs in order to use the information for elaborating new strategies of risk assessment, beach management and assure safety regulations in recreational beaches. In the field survey different data were collected: position, width and RCs intensity, using mobile devices such as a GPS Ashtech Mobile Mapper 10, and two self-made buoys equipped with internal GPS Garmin DC 40. After processing the data, six RCs were constantly identified in the area of study, with intensities ranging from 0 to 1.5 m/s approximately, and widths from 20 to 60 m, and were found to be more recurrent and strong on later spring and summer, as because these period more energetic waves (swell) generated by storms (located as far as the South Pacific) arrive and interact with local bathymetry and tides, favoring the generation and intensification of the RCs. The collected data will be especially useful for the implementation and validation of numerical hydrodynamic models that will be used for spatial and temporal forecasting of potentially dangerous RCs at SB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Massive use of beaches has forced traditional management of these systems to focus on the service offer to users. Consequently, human activity and behavior prevailed over other biological and physical processes and functions. Mirroring this tendency, the use of Performance Awards (Blue Flag) and Environmental/Quality Management Systems (ISO 14001, EMAS, and Q of Quality) were popularized as standards of environmental quality. In parallel to this process, recent international coastal and marine policies have emphasized the need to develop sustainable strategies for implementing the principles of the Ecosystem Approach into management with the overarching goal to maintain ecosystem integrity while enabling the sustainable use of ecosystem goods and services in systems under management. As Performance Awards and Environmental/Quality Management Systems do not follow the Ecosystem Approach, an Ecosystem-Based Management System for beaches (EBMS-Beaches) is introduced to overcome this issue. The EBMS-Beaches is intended as a formal standard framework that add new aspects not considered in a classical beach management process by the introduction of the principles of the Ecosystem Approach, between them: a) a clear vision-driven process; b) a holistic approach from a geographical perspective; c) pressure analysis and institutional coordination inside clear participatory planning; d) use of risk management techniques in planning; e) the ecosystem service concept as the central piece of the system; f) use of the DPSWR as accountable framework of indicators, g) desired vision based on state indicators and using BQI partial indices; and h) timely participation by local population. The EBMS is structured along three pillars (managerial, informative and participatory pillars) working in an adaptive management way. Based on these three pillars, existing management practices can be standardized into a viable, systematic means of implementing, in an integrated way, the new international policies for beach social-ecological systems. An initial experience of EBMS implementation in a particular beach (S'Abanell beach, Girona-Catalonia, Northwestern Mediterranean) has been initiated and it is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and intensive coastal development place beaches under significant pressures, both natural and anthropogenic. Coastal erosion and deterioration of beach quality decrease the attractiveness of coastal areas leading to economic impacts. The societal response to these issues has resulted in application of hard/soft engineering methods to mitigate erosion and provision of quality awards to support the recreational beach value. This paper reviews the approaches to erosion and beach quality issues in three Southern European (Portugal, Spain and Italy) countries, discusses effectiveness of the approaches, and analyses the impacts of applied approaches on environmental quality and human welfare. An analysis of used management approaches demonstrates the inefficiency of hard measures to stop erosion and their negative impact on environmental quality. Such management approaches have been used as an emergency response to problems, and were not supported by the adequate knowledge of possible consequences. In contrast, successful experiences in application of soft methods allowed preservation of the natural status of beaches and improvement of tourism quality. Beach quality awards allowed to fulfil tourism requirements and promoted a good image of beaches. Examples of good and bad practices contribute to proper onsite management, and thereby encourage sustainable development of coastal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The calculation of scenic attractiveness is based on a methodology – the Coastal Scenic Evaluation System (CSES) that includes expert assessment of 26 beach parameters (18 physical, 8 human) resulting in five site classes (I, high scenic value; V, poor scenic value). Eighty-five settlements occur along the Baikal environment, (28 coastal) with 21 being most popular with both locals and tourists because of transport and accessibility were selected for study. Findings suggested that human parameters had a greater negative impact on coastal scenery. Sites with low human values were included in Classes IV and V; beaches, with high scoring physical parameters, e.g. cliffs, dunes, were deemed to be in Class I. Protected areas (National Parks etc.) and the existence of any kind of protection feature is relevant in coastal scenic preservation; 75% of Class I beaches and 37.5% of Class II are located within these areas. Monitoring compliance for environmental protection contributes to the preservation of the natural landscape and has a positive effect on scenic values. Changing human parameters (if possible, as changing physical ones is difficult) can change beach classes by lowering/increasing, by as much as two levels, e.g. Sarayskiy beach increased from Class III to Class IV after it was cleaned of litter. Current Baikal management is at a crossroads between moving toward mass tourism or eco-tourism that is unlikely to be resolved in the near future. Whatever materialises the CSES will help to ensure decision - making is done objectively so that the lake's ecosystem is preserved and justice is ensured for the local population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, sandy beach socio-ecological systems are under stress, yet there are few systematic approaches to guide conservation and development planning. Four sandy beaches in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM; Nova Scotia, Canada) were evaluated using a modified Environmental Function Analysis (EFA). Our goal was to reduce the severe data requirements of traditional EFA by using more proxy indicators as well as combining indicators into higher-level metrics. We also sought to incorporate landscape-scale evaluation by incorporating adjacent habitats. Twenty ecological and socio-economic indicators were scored according to their performance, normalized, and plotted in a conservation/use development matrix. Results show that beaches near large cities or towns, have already been extensively developed for their recreational use, and are subject to significant environmental degradation. Other beaches were conflicted between recreational, touristic, and/or exploitative opportunities, versus richer biodiversity, habitats, and species of conservation interest. Scenario analysis demonstrates that management strategies which focus on minimizing the invasive nature of park infrastructure and enhance biophysical restoration, can significantly increase beach conservation value, and shift sites into the conservation zone. Provincial government officials applied results to revised management of one of the study beaches. EFA not only provides general observations allowing beaches to be compared and contrasted, but it also gives useful insight on individual beaches, allowing for better-informed decision-making and tailored management. The simplified EFA methodology proposed is user-friendly, provides conclusive results, and offers a cost-effective approach to sandy beach environment evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A regional understanding of beach litter abundance, distribution, and composition is fundamental to formulate strategies to manage litter pollution in a particular area. The present study aimed to quantify and characterize the macro (2.5 cm to 1m), meso (5 mm–2.5 cm), and micro litter (≤5 mm) in the intertidal and backshore area of six sandy beaches utilized for various activities along the southeast coast of India. Macro litter was collected within 100m transects, while meso and micro litter was collected within 1 m2 quadrats (n = 5) from each beach's intertidal and backshore regions. In this study, the average beach litter concentrations were 0.24 ± 0.14 items/m2 (macro), 8.2 ± 5.6 items/m2 (meso), and micro litter was 505 ± 121 particles/kg of dry sediment. The backshore had a higher litter concentration than the intertidal area. Beaches closer to urban centers and multiple activities had higher litter abundance than more remote beaches. Using the Clean Coast Index (CCI), four beaches i.e. , Neelankarai, Kovalam, Auroville, and Paradise are characterized as moderately clean beaches, whereas, the other two beaches i.e., Nemmeli and Palar are clean and very clean, respectively. Even though the beaches were found to be moderately clean, there is an urgent need to improve local waste management of beach litter. We suggest regular cleaning of river banks, a strict ban of single-use plastic in the beach area, and raising awareness e.g., by involving school and college students adopting a local beach. [Display omitted] • Six beaches were studied for macro, meso, and microplastics characterization. • Litter distribution varied significantly between zones depending on beach usage. • Single-use plastics are abundantly originating from tourism. • Polyethylene and polypropylene of secondary types of microplastics are dominant. • Management of single-use plastics on the land side is urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beaches are attractive areas that are subject to multiple pressures. Some of these beaches are located in large coastal cities with which they interact on a physical and social level. Facing this particularity, we propose a state of knowledge dedicated to the management of beaches in large coastal cities, here defined as cities with more than 500,000 inhabitants. Using the WoS and an analysis grid, 53 articles were identified and studied. This analysis shows that these beaches at the interface of a large coastal city are mainly the subject of sectorial studies and that the interactions between the city and the beach are relatively little studied. In this context, this article aims to highlight the need to develop integrated management model specific to beaches located in large cities. • Beach management in large coastal cities is little studied. • Despite the widespread diffusion of the principles of integrated management, sectoral approaches dominate. • City is rarely more than a contextual in most of the papers. • City-beach interactions little studied and poorly treated as a whole. • Lack of an integrated management model specific to beaches in large cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sudden outbreak of COVID-19 has led beach tourism to a complete halt in January 2020, disrupting millions of livelihoods and businesses. Due to the economic importance of beach tourism, many governments reopened tourist beaches after the number of confirmed cases decreased. It is essential to open beaches orderly to meet the needs of tourists, maintain beach's health and restore coastal economy under the new reality. This paper selected Qingdao in China as a case study, drew on a questionnaire survey among beach tourists, summarized the effects of the COVID-19 on beach tourism industry and tourism enterprise, analyzed beach tourists' psychology and behavior, and developed beach management strategy under the ongoing prevention and control of COVID-19. The results showed that the COVID-19 pandemic caused severe damage to beach tourism which bases on travel and mobility, and this industry was temporarily suspended. With the changing epidemic situation, beach tourism witnessed a gradual recovery from stagnation to local tourism. Meanwhile, tourism enterprises were hit by the devastating impact of the COVID-19, causing problems such as business reduction, tense cash flow, high operating cost and unclear market prospect. Under the normalization of pandemic prevention, tourists did not have severe fear and anxiety about the pandemic, and placed great importance on the prevention and control measures, emergency measures and pandemic risk level of the beach destination. The pandemic also reshaped the perception and mode of beach tourism. Ecological tourism, travelling with family, and local tourism became the primary choices for tourists. Beach congestion, health status, and the quality of tourism services were the biggest concerns for tourists. Additionally, social media and short video APP became the new marketing channels. Finally, beach management strategies were proposed from the aspects of pandemic prevention and control, emergency management, information communication, tourist management, service management, and environmental management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beaches are important tourism resources in coastal areas and have become the preferred destinations for coastal tourism. For scientific management of beach resources, the economic benefits of beach nourishment and beach tourism should be evaluated. Therefore, using Xiamen as a case study, this study reviews beach nourishment actions, establishes a model to quantify the beach tourism economy; thus, it analyzes beach tourism's economic contributions to Xiamen's overall economy to contribute to the literature on scientific management of beach resources and tourism development. During the period between 2012 and 2018, the total beach tourism revenue increased from 9.718 billion yuan to 25.238 billion yuan, increasing by a factor of nearly 2.6 over 6 years. In 2018, beach tourism directly contributed 10.091 billion yuan to Xiamen's gross domestic product (GDP), accounting for 2.11% of Xiamen's GDP; the comprehensive contribution was 31.559 billion yuan, accounting for 6.63% of Xiamen's GDP in 2018. Beach tourism has boosted related industries in Xiamen's economy. Meanwhile, over the past few years in Xiamen, the income elasticity coefficient of beach tourism demand has been greater than 1, indicating a relatively high-income elasticity of demand. After analyzing the economic contributions from coastal tourism in Xiamen, this study proposes that beach tourism can be promoted through beach management and beach nourishment. The development of coastal tourism is a feasible strategy for enhancing the regional economy, and coastal tourism is conducive to improving the economic structure in Xiamen. [Display omitted] • The effect of beach management on beach tourism is analyzed based on a typical coastal city in China. • Beach tourism promotes the regional economic development of a typical coastal city. • Beach tourism improves the economic structure of a typical coastal city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the use of sandy beaches underpins strategies for effective management of this valuable ecosystem. In this context, remote-sensing platforms and aerial imagery could, theoretically, provide novel and cost-effective solutions to identify and map beach visitor use. Recreational beach use patterns were examined using data collected via an established drone-based method and from commercial orthomosaic images collected via crewed aircraft to assess the practicality of these methods. Our study encompassed ~780 km of east Australian coastline and assessed 73,021 beach visitors to find similar participation rates in sunbathing (46.3 vs 47.7%), walking (21.8 vs 18.6%), swimming (20.9 vs 19.5%), surfing (10.7 vs 14.0%) and fishing (0.3 vs 0.1%) when measured by drones or crewed aircraft, respectively. The larger spatial coverage of crewed aircraft was a distinct advantage that allowed mapping of geographic patterns in beach use for thirteen sites separated by 100s of kilometres. Beach visitation was significantly influenced by season, weekend/public holidays, temperature, solar radiation, beach area, size of households adjacent to beaches, and time of day. Both drones and crewed aircraft are practicable tools for sandy shore management, providing complementary solutions to generate visitor-use data at multiple scales that can be used to optimise recreational service provisions and better support environmental conservation strategies. [Display omitted] • Technological advances have created new techniques for monitoring sandy beaches. • Orthomosaic images collected via crewed aircraft can quantify beach visitation and patterns of use. • Season and solar radiation are important drivers of beach use. • Understanding the recreational use of beaches underpins coastal management decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently coastal tourism has increased dashingly; however, it has negatively affected environmental, social and cultural sustainability. Algarve is the most visited tourist attraction in Portugal with a large number of beautiful beaches. Due to negative tourism impacts and climate change, coastal tourism management tools need to be assessed and implemented. Most beach areas have the dual mandate of conserving natural resources and providing opportunities for recreation and tourism. This paper aims to develop a methodology for sustainable beach management. An urban, rural, resort and remote beach type were chosen as case studies. The proposed methodology for assessing beach quality and effective beach management consisted of three parts: initially, SWOT analysis was performed, where overcrowding, coastal urbanization, ecosystem degradation and coastal erosion due to sea level rising emerged as main future threats. Beach quality evaluation was assessed using the Bath Area Registration and Evaluation (BARE) method. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to get the beach visitor's opinions. An Importance–performance (I–P) analysis has been applied to identify the service quality gap and the most appropriate actions to improve beach management. For most of the beach attributes, satisfaction exceeded importance, and hence no management attention was needed. Exceptions were the condition of litter facilities, public toilets, showers and associated footpaths, the use of renewable energy, and the presence of litter in sand and vegetation health. For these, satisfaction was lower than importance, suggesting management attention is needed. The combined methodology allowed to identify beach management priorities resulting in enhanced visitors' experiences and protecting the natural environment. [Display omitted] • Assessing beach quality assist in operationalizing beach management. • Importance–performance analysis identified the beach service quality gaps. • We provide beach managers with a method to prioritize investments in services and infrastructure. • A methodology for beach management priorities to enhance visitors' satisfaction and nature conservation. • We indicate the need for appropriate beach management in areas of high tourism pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has implications for coastal planning and management. Rules for isolation and physical distancing, among other measures for human life protection, have led to the closure of most beaches around the world. The present critical situation has raised the following question: How can some recommendations be designed in sun, sea, and sand tourism-dependent-insular countries to face "the COVID-19 new normality?" We used the content analysis technique to analyze representative publications on a global level to ascertain information on best management practices. A survey of 58 experts provided additional information. We used inferential statistics for sample selection and produced a list of 43 practices and beach planning and management actions to face the COVID-19 pandemic. This led to 27 new recommendations designed for beach planning and management within insular contexts, some of which were tested in the Republic of Cuba. Recommendations aim to guarantee a culture of safety and improvement within the field of beach or coastal planning and management. These recommendations should prove useful for other insular countries, during the COVID-19 period, in the new normality that follows, and in other post-pandemic scenarios. [Display omitted] • Forty-three positive and negative practices and actions on beaches during the COVID-19 lockdown are presented. • Twenty-seven new recommendations for coastal planning and beach management was designed. • Several recommendations were validated in the Republic of Cuba. • Experts in beach and coastal management from two Ibero-American networks was consulted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible tourism constitutes a current social priority for the World Tourism Organization and the European Network for Accessible Tourism. Trips to the beach are beneficial in terms of improved health and psychological well-being. They form an integral part of life in Spain, a country with the world's second highest number of tourist visitors and more than 3500 beaches. However, Spain does not have a common beach accessibility management policy. In this study, an analysis is made of the actual universal accessibility conditions of a selected sample of Spanish urban and semi-urban beaches which have received the most widely recognized quality certificates/awards for beaches: UNE 170001 Universal Accessibility Certification, Blue Flag, Blue Flag – Inclusive Beach, and Q for Quality Tourism. Beach evaluation was made through the development of a Beach Accessibility Index (BAI) on the basis of three categories: Equipment and infrastructures, Services, and Management. The main results indicate that Spanish beaches have universal accessibility needs that require improvement, with Management the most precarious aspect. None of the certificates/awards guarantee minimum universal accessibility conditions, although the best results were obtained for the UNE 170001 Universal Accessibility Certification. While examples of good practice do exist at local level, the results clearly suggest that a national approach is needed to standardize accessibility criteria. Image 1 • This research analyses universal accessibility conditions in Spanish beaches. • The new method is applied to urban and semi-urban beaches with different ratings. • Beaches do not guarantee universal accessibility conditions. • Beach managers need to review universal accessibility aspects. • The scale of analysis proposed with the BAI is useful for managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to analyse to what extent the recognition of sustainable management of coastal resources may act as a driver of local economic growth. To this end, the importance of Blue Flag certification in promoting the development of a local tourism sector is analysed. Using a natural experiment based on some localities increasing the number of their certified bathing areas through recognition of sustainable management, whereas other localities reduce them, we analyse the impact of that recognition on the evolution of the local tourism sector in Comunitat Valenciana (CV) in Spain. CV is the Spanish region with the largest number of beaches with this award, and tourism linked to beaches and marine activities represents a large share of its economy. The results confirm that in this case, Blue Flag recognition has a positive impact on the economic development of the tourism sector in those municipalities that have opted for more sustainable tourism, whereas municipalities that have not introduced any sustainable ecolabel schemes have had lesser development of tourism. • Tourism can negatively impact beaches and coastal areas. • The Blue Flag Programme promotes sustainable beach management. • This paper analyzes the effect of Blue Flag accreditation on the local tourism industry in Comunitat Valenciana, Spain. • We find that Blue Flag status promotes the local tourism industry compared to beaches without this status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beach nourishment is a proved effective protection approach which has been widely used in recent years. An Argus video monitoring system has been set up to monitor morphological changes and effects of continuous nourishments at Dongsha beach, an embayed beach in Zhoushan Archipelago, eastern China. Video-derived shorelines along with their morphological parameters, such as dry beach width, dry beach area, beach orientation and unit width volume were analyzed during the monitoring period from June 2016 to July 2017. Analysis of video monitoring data shows that shorelines retreated during autumn and winter when storms were intensive, while advanced in spring and summer, with a lot of bulges occurred after nourishment projects. Abrupt variations in the beach orientation were always followed by gradual recoveries to the average beach orientation, while continuous counter-clockwise rotation occurred after March 2017 when storm events were sparse. Comparing the different beach responses to individual storm events, we found that small-scale and short-interval sand nourishment implemented timely after storms can compensate for sediment loss more effectively on this beach. This study can provide a reference for local beach management. Image 1 • Argus monitoring revealed seasonal morphological variations of an embayed beachexposed to frequent storms. • Small-scale and short-interval sand nourishment on the beach exposed to frequent storms is effective. • Occurrence time of nourishment is an important factor affecting nourishment longevity. • Beach nourishment implemented timely after storm events can compensate for sediment loss more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study developed a new integrated assessment method for sandy beaches, using three recreational Italian beaches as case study, with the purpose of obtaining their economic value. The method was based on a geomorphological assessment of the beaches and a carrying capacity evaluation; an economic analysis through the elicitation of the willingness to pay (WTP); a social assessment of beachgoers' attitude and opinion. For the selected beaches, which differed for typology, location, shape, level of urbanization and tourism, we identified the available surfaces for recreational uses trough the observation of satellite images. WTP results indicate that respondents would be willing to pay a contribution from 9 to 15€ per season. WTP is principally positive correlated with some variables like beach frequentation, residence in the localities, available services on the beach. The value of the selected beaches was calculated multiplying the sustainable carrying capacity of each site with their related maximum WTP. It was found that the values of the beaches varied from more than 50M€/season at a popular urban beach to 1M€/season at a remote natural beach. The comparison of beach valuation and investments made by managers of the beaches show a gap. Therefore, the huge non-market value of these beaches might need decision-makers to guarantee continuous beach restoration measures. Image 1 • Results indicate a considerable WTP of beach users. • WTP is correlated to beach typologies and beach frequentation. • carrying capacity can be used for beach evaluation. • Corrective factors and optimal management index affected the carrying capacity. • Beach values are very high in comparison to investments carried out on the littorals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beaches' development on small islands has become increasingly important due to touristic appeals on their unique landscapes and natural endowments. However, compared with large islands and continental areas, the natural conditions of these islands are quite poor, their degree of development is relatively low, and they are insufficiently managed. Therefore, it is urgently necessary to undertake comprehensive management activities for tourist beaches on small islands. Three small islands in China, i.e. Meizhou, Gulang, and Weizhou, were selected as case studies to develop a preliminary beach management strategy. On the basis of a literature search, field observation, interviews with relevant officers, visits to shopkeepers and residents, tourist questionnaires and internet comment collection, this study summarizes the status of tourist beach management on small islands, analyzes tourist perceptions, and establishes a SWOT framework. A comprehensive tourist beach management system is developed with natural environmental, facility-cultural, and management sub-systems that are highly interactive and interrelated. The development pathway of tourist beach management on small islands can be subdivided into three individual stages, namely, passive, positive, and balanced development stages. Management should focus on the island's unique advantages and infrastructure building in the stage of passive development, management facilities improvement, recreational activities, policies and regulations in the stage of positive development, and balance tourist numbers against the ecological environment, the needs of residents and the tourist experience in the stage of balanced development. Moreover, the beach management being appropriate for a small island is highly correlated with its natural and/or cultural landscapes. • Tourism beach management of small islands is proposed by comparison with that of large islands. • Management can be divided into passive, positive and balanced development stages. • Management mode is dominated by different economic development periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this paper is to provide a scenic assessment of Italian beaches considering both physical and social aspects useful for defining coastal management strategies. Scenic values were calculated for 25 sites along Italian coastline using of a Coastal Scenic Evaluation System (CSES), a fuzzy logic containing 26 physical/human factors. The sites were categorized into five classes from Class I (top grade scenery) to Class V (poor scenery). Furthermore, a survey through questionnaires on Users' Perception (UP) was performed to obtain social assessment of the beaches and to define the beachgoer's characteristics for each scenic class. Five parameters (beach cleanliness, sea-water, beach width, landscape and crowding) were also combined to obtain a scenic and social analysis of the beaches. Three beaches belonged to Class I, e.g. remote or resort areas with a low impact of human activities and high score of natural parameters. Two Class II beaches were located at remote or rural areas having sand beaches, turquoise water and vigorous vegetation together with a low impact of tourist developments. Classes III, IV and V presented a wide distribution and their lower scores were linked to a poor environmental setting. These beaches were generally located in urban localities. Three aspects that were considered by the beach's users as the most important were beach cleanliness, good sea water and high quality of the services. However, UP assessment showed negative judgments on sea-water and landscape especially for Class IV and V beaches. On the other hand, cleanliness, recreational activities and facilities were well-judged for the Class III, IV and V beaches mainly due to the presence of private beach establishments. Scenic and social analysis of the beaches indicated that beach width was the best parameter both for scenic and social assessment; while crowding factor was a contradictory parameter presenting opposite trends of CSES and UP. Beach cleanliness, sea-water and landscape were depended to scenic Class of the beaches, both for CSES and UP. The excellent scenic values were associated to the environmental settings whereas human parameters usually showed low scores especially for urban beaches due to marine litter and the presence of coastal defense structures like groins and breakwaters. Nevertheless, users frequented both beaches with high and low parameters, due to their habitually frequentation and proximity to the beach. Finally, the results indicate that management strategies are also needed to improve the scenic quality and users' judgement of some beach features. • Assessment of beach type, scenery and users' perception in 25 Italian beaches. • Class V beaches correspond to the most anthropic littorals. • Upgrade human factors deleting litter, sewage evidences, vegetation debris. • Users' perception highlights a differences between scenic classes. • Low sea-water quality and high crowding level are the worst CSES and UP factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beaches are very important to Australians but are presently threatened by several forms of environmental degradation. Beach management has traditionally concentrated on geomorphic hazards and the recreational human-use of beaches, but has largely ignored the ecological and broader environmental values of beaches. In this paper beaches are conceived as multidimensional environmental systems -- `beach environments' -- that are nested within larger coastal systems and comprised ofinteracting natural, socio-cultural and management systems. These three component systems of beach environments have usually been considered separately. It is argued that a focus on both the component systems of beach environments and interactions among these systems is necessary for improvements in the management, conservation and overall environmental quality of beaches. Interactions among natural, socio-cultural and management systems are specified in a simple model of beachenvironments. A brief review of our knowledge on these interactions indicates that fundamental information is lacking in Australia and the ramifications are potentially severe. The concept of beach environments provides an appropriate context for the collection of relevant information, the collaboration necessary between researchers and managers and a new setting for beach environmental management. Several opportunities are outlined for beach management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]