Morphodynamic and climatic control on sandy beaches: Challenges of geoenvironmental studies for the conservation of biodiversity and the maintenance of ecosystem services

Abstract

Sandy beach can be divided into two beach ecosystems: self-sustaining and interface, which respond in different ways to morphodynamic and climate control on biodiversity. The main factors which act upon sandy shore biodiversity are wave energy and wind action, which are responsible for the movement of sediment and the determination of beach inclination. Climactic variations, such as storms, also significantly influence the dynamic of sandy shores. Although they have a delicate ecological balance, sandy shores have not been recognized as priority areas for conservation, possibly due to the absence of exuberant vegetation cover or due to the lack of perception of their biodiversity. For the majority of people that frequent coastal areas, sandy shores appear to be poor biological systems and are valued only for scenic and recreational purposes. Intense recreational use and the unorganized use of the backshore increases the impacts on these environments, altering sediment deposition which increases the difficulty of biota movement and increases erosion processes, compromising ecosystem functionality. It is therefore, necessary to research indicators which can result in the creation of effective strategies for coastal management, preserving ecosystem balance and the maintenance of its services, including those considered essential for the human race. This revision principally aims to discuss how morphodynamic and climactic processes act upon sandy beach biodiversity and how these phenomena can influence ecosystem balance and the offering of their services. We also discuss the possible interferences of climactic alterations, unorganized occupation of coastal environments and their implications for the conservation of sandy shores.