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Predictive empirical modeling is used in many locations worldwide as a rapid, alternative recreational water quality management tool to eliminate delayed notifications associated with traditional fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) culturing (referred to as the persistence model, PM) and to prevent errors in releasing swimming advisories. The goal of this study was to develop a fully automated water quality management system for multiple beaches using predictive empirical models (EM) and state-of-the-art technology. Many recent EMs rely on samples or data collected manually, which adds to analysis time and increases the burden to the beach manager. In this study, data from water quality buoys and weather stations were transmitted through cellular telemetry to a web hosting service. An executable program simultaneously retrieved and aggregated data for regression equations and calculated EM results each morning at 9:30 AM; results were transferred through RSS feed to a website, mapped to each beach, and received by the lifeguards to be posted at the beach. Models were initially developed for five beaches, but by the third year, 21 beaches were managed using refined and validated modeling systems. The adjusted R 2 of the regressions relating Escherichia coli to hydrometeorological variables for the EMs were greater than those for the PMs, and ranged from 0.220 to 0.390 (2011) and 0.103 to 0.381 (2012). Validation results in 2013 revealed reduced predictive capabilities; however, three of the originally modeled beaches showed improvement in 2013 compared to 2012. The EMs generally showed higher accuracy and specificity than those of the PMs, and sensitivity was low for both approaches. In 2012 EM accuracy was 70–97%; specificity, 71–100%; and sensitivity, 0–64% and in 2013 accuracy was 68–97%; specificity, 73–100%; and sensitivity 0–36%. Factors that may have affected model capabilities include instrument malfunction, non-point source inputs, and sparse calibration data. The modeling system developed is the most extensive, fully-automated system for recreational water quality developed to date. Key insights for refining and improving large-scale empirical models for beach management have been developed through this multi-year effort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism destination is a complicated system. Destination system consists of resources which can be natural and anthropogenic. It is necessary to harmonize them and to manage them in proper manner. Coastal area is one of the most valuable natural resources od Republic of Croatia which is well known and recognized as sun, sea&sand destination, and therefore coastal area is crucial for tourism development. Beaches, as part of coastal area, are foundation of competitive advantage, as well as income generator and due to this, there is growing interest in last couple years for possibility of using their recreational and economic potential. Purpose of this paper is, by using quantitative and qualitative analysis, to research beach resources of Pelješac peninsula which will then be used as a foundation for SWOT matrix to determine strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to beaches of this area. For the analysis purpose, beside the secondary data research, there was a field research conducted which covered attitudes of key stakeholders and tourism board management of Pelješac peninsula which together make destination management of beach resources. [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]

Lucrezi, S. and Saayman, M., 2015. Beachgoers' demands vs. Blue Flag aims in South Africa. The Blue Flag is a beach award aimed to preserve features of the beach environment. While it is assumed that the Blue Flag attracts tourism, this depends on factors such as the socio-demographic background of beachgoers, their perception of beach attributes, and their knowledge and perception of the Blue Flag. This research used structural equation modeling (SEM) to investigate relationships between perceived beach attributes (beach selection criteria, deterrent factors of the beach, and beach quality rating) and beachgoers' knowledge and perception of the Blue Flag award on three Blue Flag and three non-Blue Flag beaches in South Africa. A single statistically significant relationship emerged between beach quality rating and evaluation (both positive and negative views, which are not necessarily mutually exclusive) of the Blue Flag award by beachgoers. The data highlight the importance of generating bottom-up information to assist potential, occasional, and running Blue Flag managers in South Africa, particularly in regard to proper education and promotion of the Blue Flag award. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding and quantifying the trade-off between the requirement for clean safe bathing water and beaches and their wider ecosystem services is central to the aims of the European Union (EU) Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), and vital for the sustainability and economic viability of designated bathing waters. Uncertainty surrounding the impacts of ensuing bathing water policy transitions, e.g. the EU revised Bathing Waters Directive (rBWD), puts new urgency on our need to understand the importance of natural beach assets for human recreation, wildlife habitat and for protection from flooding and erosion. However, managing coastal zones solely in terms of public health could have potentially negative consequences on a range of other social and cultural ecosystem services, e.g. recreation. Improving our knowledge of how bathing waters, surrounding beach environments and local economies might respond to shifts in management decisions is critical in order to inform reliable decision-making, and to evaluate future implications for human health. In this paper we explore the conflicts and trade-offs that emerge at public beach environments, and propose the development of an evaluative framework of viable alternatives in environmental management whereby bathing waters are managed for their greatest utility, driven by identifying the optimal ecosystem service provision at any particular site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eutrophication is a phenomenon which can rapidly generate masses of marine macroalgae, particularly in areas with high nutrient pollution. Washed ashore, this biomass impairs coastal tourism and negatively affects the coastal ecosystem. The present study evaluates the biochemical methane potential (BMP) of a macroalgae mix (Rügen-Mix, RM (RM = Rügen-Mix)) originating from Rügen, Germany. To improve biomethane recovery, thermo-acidic pretreatment was applied to the biomass prior to biomethanation to disintegrate the biomass macrostructure. Acid hydrolysis was successfully triggered with 0.2 M industry-grade HCl at 80 °C for a 2 h period, increasing biomethane recovery by +39%, with a maximum BMP of 121 mL·g-1 volatile solids (VS). To reduce the necessity for input material, HCl was replaced by the acidic waste product flue gas condensate (FGC). Improved performance was achieved by showing an increase in biomethane recovery of +24% and a maximum BMP of 108 mL·g-1 VS. Continuous anaerobic digestion trials of RM were conducted for three hydraulic retention times, showing the feasibility of monodigestion. The biomethane recovery was 60 mL and 65 mL·g-1 VS·d-1 for thermophilic and mesophilic operation, respectively. The quality of biomethanation performance aligned to the composition of the source material which exhibited a low carbon/nitrogen ratio and an increased concentration of sulfur compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal zones are complex systems where many different human activities and natural processes converge. One of the most profitable and enjoyable activities is beach tourism and recreation; however, coastal erosion can cause not only loss of land and asset values but also loss of environmental and landscape qualities and therefore their recreational value due to passive erosion from shoreline armouring and coastal development. This paper reports results from economic and demographic factors affecting public coastal erosion awareness and willingness to pay on the urban beaches of Cadiz, SW Spain. Although there is a great public awareness of coastal erosion among the interviewed adults from town, the willingness to pay for beach management improvement is minimal. The fact is possibly explained by the low regional economic status and the large number of local residents among the beachgoers. The majority of the respondents said that there should not be any extra charges because they pay regular local taxes and already pay for using beach services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Blue Flag is a beach award scheme adopted by coastal municipalities to manage beaches and attract tourism. This paper evaluates beachgoers' views of the Blue Flag award in South Africa, and examines these in the light of beach managers' opinions of the award. Beachgoers ( N = 374) on Blue Flag and non-Blue Flag beaches were interviewed to assess awareness, knowledge, and attitudes concerning the Blue Flag award, and perceptions of beach features that are also listed as Blue Flag criteria. Blue Flag managers were interviewed to examine their opinion of and commitment to the award. Beachgoers and managers shared positive views of the Blue Flag award. However, a substantial lack of knowledge on the award's criteria by beachgoers was reflected in managerial and educational flaws by Blue Flag managers. Based on the results obtained, a new environmental education framework is proposed for the Blue Flag award. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to analyse the meaning of beach safety flags and their management along the Northern Spanish coast. There are more than 1000 small beaches, which are often in high demand by tourism during the summer season. To carry out the research, most of main beaches have been visited to observe and analyse the meaning of all the safety flags and their correct use depending on the oceanographic and meteorological conditions. The influence of the beach safety management and regulations on the use of beach safety signage has been also analysed. The results show that safety flag systems differ even between very close beaches where safety management is in the hands of different local governments. Outdated and local legal framework and the absence of an agreed system between the different organizations that provide lifeguarding services seem to be behind this lack of uniformity. A specific guide for beach safety flags and signage within a national safety beach plan agreed by all the autonomic or provincial governments may be a solution. [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]

Along the world's highly valued and populous coastlines, the upper intertidal zones of sandy beach ecosystems and the biodiversity that these zones support are increasingly threatened by impacts of human activities, coastal development, erosion, and climate change. The upper zones of beaches typically support invertebrates with restricted distributions and dispersal, making them particularly vulnerable to habitat loss and fragmentation. We hypothesized that disproportionate loss or degradation of these zones in the last century has resulted in declines of upper shore macroinvertebrates in southern California. We identified a suite of potentially vulnerable endemic upper beach invertebrates with direct development, low dispersal and late reproduction. Based on the availability of printed sources and museum specimens, we investigated historical changes in distribution and abundance of two intertidal isopod species ( Tylos punctatus , Alloniscus perconvexus ) in southern California. Populations of these isopods have been extirpated at numerous historically occupied sites: T. punctatus from 16 sites (57% decrease), and A. perconvexus from 14 sites (64% decrease). During the same period, we found evidence of only five colonization events. In addition, the northern range limit of the southern species, T. punctatus , moved south by 31 km (8% of range on California mainland) since 1971. Abundances of T. punctatus have declined on the mainland coast; only three recently sampled populations had abundances >7000 individuals m −1 . For A. perconvexus populations, abundances >100 individuals m −1 now appear to be limited to the northern part of the study area. Our results show that numerous local extirpations of isopod populations have resulted in regional declines and in greatly reduced population connectivity in several major littoral cells of southern California. Two of the six major littoral cells (Santa Barbara and Zuma) in the area currently support 74% of the remaining isopod populations. These isopods persist primarily on relatively remote, ungroomed, unarmored beaches with restricted vehicle access and minimal management activity. These predominantly narrow, bluff-backed beaches also support species-rich upper beach assemblages, suggesting these isopods can be useful indicators of biodiversity. The high extirpation rates of isopod populations on the southern California mainland over the last century provide a compelling example of the vulnerability of upper beach invertebrates to coastal urbanization. Climate change and sea level rise will exert further pressures on upper beach zones and biota in southern California and globally. In the absence of rapid implementation of effective conservation strategies, our results suggest many upper intertidal invertebrate species are at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kim, J. and Cho, D., 2014. Policy suggestion and implications for the use and management of bathing beaches. In the Republic of Korea, beaches are the most popular holiday destination; approximately 70 million people visit beaches every year. The maintenance and management of beaches are deemed important because more than 50% of marine activities take place on at beaches. This paper reviews the status of Korean bathing beaches and addresses safety management, environmental pollution, and legal and institutional issues. In addition, policies for sustainable use and the maintenance of bathing beaches as well as the use of marine tourism attractions are proposed. The relevant laws and regulations urgently need to be modified for the effective use and management of bathing beaches. In addition, close cooperation with non-government organizations is needed for the safety management of bathing beaches. Safety measures and education to protect users from hazards such as rip currents and jellyfish, etc. need to be strongly implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mallmann, D.L.B. and Pereira, P.S., 2014. Coastal erosion at Maria Farinha Beach, Pernambuco, Brazil: Possible causes and alternatives for shoreline protection. The aim of this study is to understand the main processes that are involved in the erosion of Maria Farinha Beach, in Recife, Brazil, a beach of great ecological and socioeconomic importance. Currently, the southern part of the beach is exposed to more frequent periods of erosion, especially during spring tides, while in the northern part accretion can be observed. The possible causes of erosion can be related to: (i) changes in longshore drift rates, resulting in a negative sediment budget; (ii) the impact of the incoming waves, that concentrate energy in a small sector, and/or (iii) urban development on top of the beach system. In order to minimize erosion problems, the following alternatives are suggested: (i) the construction of a submerged breakwater; (ii) the use of a sand bypassing system and (iii) the relocation of existing buildings. It is concluded that the erosion problem at Maria Farinha is complex and difficult to solve, since it has multiple causes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beaches are complex systems on which different activities and interests are pursued. The most widespread activities relate to tourism and recreation. An individual's choice for a particular coast depends on the site characteristics and user's perception. In order to identify beach users' profiles and perceptions, a beach survey was carried out in the beaches of Cadiz, SW Spain, and subsequent sociodemographic factors affecting people's willingness to pay for beach management were identified. Despite part of the economic interests in Cadiz being related to tourism-related activities, most of the beach users are Cadiz residents. Respondents say that the elevated number of people in the beach during high season is problematic and causes unpleasant consequences, like accumulation of litter. Moreover, people mentioned the inadequate number of beach facilities (e.g. recreational services, showers, W.C.'s) and the perceived need for beach nourishment in some specific areas of the coast. The hypothetical implementation of a fee for beach management improvement was not supported by interviewees. A high number of local visitors of low economic status seemed to be the variables driving this finding. Regardless of beach users' assertions that the quality of the urban coast of Cadiz could be improved, they were not prepared to pay increased tax to achieve this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On a generational scale, on developed shorelines, the world's recreational beaches are doomed. This is largely because of the widespread assumption that preservation of buildings is a higher priority than preservation of beaches in response to sea level rise. Continuing beach degradation will be inevitable through active or passive processes. Active degradation means the actual removal of the beach, mostly as a result of shoreline engineering or mining. By far, the most important cause of beach loss in this category will be hard structures, especially seawalls. The incorrectly but widely perceived panacea of each replenishment will become economically impossible because of raised sea levels. Replenishment leads to intensified beachfront development and this ironically and inevitably will increase the future construction of seawalls. Passive degradation refers to reduction of the quality of the beach to the point that human usage drops, along with political support for costly beach preservation by nourishment. Passive degradation includes trash accumulation, oil spills, beach driving and most importantly, pollution, which is increasing rapidly apace with population growth and remains largely unrecognized by the beach-using public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Beach management is often poorly adapted to beach settings and beach users. [•] Decision-making rarely considers users opinions, although it was highly encouraged. [•] We assess and compare users’ expectations of a natural beach and an urban beach. [•] Behind a seemingly homogeneity, there were significant differences between beaches. [•] A differential management is needed, stressing the awareness and education of users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of beach morphodynamics was used to classify the swash zone of carbonate sandy beaches in the central part of the state of Yucatán (Mexico). Several topobathymetric profiles were analyzed to determine the slope of the swash zone, shape parameter A of Dean’s model, and shoreline advance and recession. Grain size and wave data were also analyzed to determine the dimensionless fall velocity (Ω). The slope of the swash zone was in general greater during the tropical storm season than during the northerly wind (Nortes) season. Mean profile values according to shape parameter A ranged from –0.186 to –0.074. The Ω values indicated intermediate beaches with a reflective tendency. Shoreline change relative to beach width helped to identify and rank security levels of beach segments.

Sandy beaches are part of an integral social-ecological system whose management has to encompass the natural and societal features of the catchment and the adjacent marine area, as well as the beach itself. Using a multi-use and complex beach system in Uruguay, the La Coronilla and Barra del Chuy resort, we interrogate those natural and societal features by employing the DAPSI(W)R(M) cause-consequence-response cycle and pathways. This identifies the Drivers, Activities, Pressures, State change on the natural system, Impacts (on the Welfare of the human system), and the Responses (requiring management Measures). We contend that this approach is needed for the sustainable development and use of this ecosystem and its biodiversity protection. This also indicates the importance of a holistic and systems approach, which is necessary, valid and valuable for sandy beaches worldwide. [Display omitted] • Managing beaches at the appropriate scale is a pressing, short-term need, worldwide. • Managing these open social-ecological systems must include ecosystem interlinkages. • As narrow interfaces, beach management must be linked to the land and the sea. • The DAPSI(W)R(M) framework addresses major management concerns of sandy beaches. • Despite being an open beach, the framework is exemplified in a catchment-to-coast system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botero, C., Anfuso, A., Williams, A.T and Palacios, A. 2013. Perception of coastal scenery along the Caribbean littoral of Colombia. Scenic evaluation is an important tool for coastal classification and management, as results obtained from numerous enquires carried out in Europe and USA showed that it is one of the top five parameters in beach choice, the others being safety, facilities, water quality and litter. The specific ranking of each one of the previous parameters ranges from place to place, scenery achieving greatest importance in the UK and USA (first and second place, respectively) and less importance in Malta, Turkey and Spain. In UK, the most important aspects of coastal scenery are historic features (hill forts, lighthouses, etc.), absence of noise, cliff height and beach type (e.g. sand). In Turkey, beach users give more importance to the absence of sewage and litter, water colour and quality, the absence of buildings and vistas of far places. In order to determine the importance given by beach users in the Caribbean coast of Colombia to coastal scenery and to its different aspects, 435 enquires were carried out at eight beaches in the provinces of La Guajira, Magdalena, Atlántico and Bolívar during 2011 and 2012. Results obtained indicated that there was circa 50% difference between the Colombian checklist, as against the one utilised in Europe and the USA. The main differences related to vegetation cover, cliffs, rock platforms, dunes, tidal range, built-non built environment, sky line and noise. The importance given to water clarity, also observed in previous studies carried out in Mediterranean beaches, is linked to the fact that local and national tourists came to the beach for swimming and/or sun, as virtually every beach user enters the sea. Lastly, the importance given to vegetation cover (especially in urban beaches where the vegetal cover consists of planted palm trees), is not really linked to their landscape value but to their usefulness in providing shade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roig-Munar, F.X., Mir-Gual, M., Rodríguez-Perea, A., Pons, G.X., Martín-Prieto, J.A., Gelabert, B. and Blázquez, M., 2013. Beaches of Ibiza and Formentera (Balearic Islands): a classification based on their environmental features, tourism use and management, In order to define their character a total of 100 beaches of Ibiza (76) and Formentera (24) are analyzed on the basis of 35 variables of beach use, state and management. We take as a reference a primary classification where three types of beaches have been considered; urban beaches (A), semi-natural beaches with urban features (B), and natural beaches (C). Departing from this scenario, and taking into account the identified variables, statistical analysis (Cluster and PCA analysis) have been done in the sense of identifying the current state of each beach and the differences among them. Currently many of the beaches of Ibiza are urban beaches (A). Furthermore the results suggest a potential trend that some of natural beaches (B-C) can become to A type in the next future. Understanding this classification, and also the recent history of the management applied in the study units, allow predicting trend scenarios. In this sense, management changes should be proposed in order to improve their current situation, and drive them toward a better conservation status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rollnic, M. and Medeiros, C., 2013. Application of a Probabilistic Sediment Transport Model to Guide Beach Nourishment Efforts This study focused on establishing the probability of different sediment grain size be transported by coastal currents, as a prognostic tool to guide nourishment efforts at a coastal section near Recife, NE-Brazil (UTM 9105000-9089969N; 0297000-0289227E). The SisBahia hydrodynamic module FIST3D was applied linked to the Lagrangian-Probabilistic Transport Module over a 27km-long coastal band from 0 to 17m isobaths. The bathymetry and sedimentary coverage was characterized in a 200m grid. Input and calibration data were originated from a 3-years field work comprising 40 stations and considering seasonal variability. Data base included instantaneous current measurements, current, tide and wave time-series and CTD profiles. A finite-element grid (876 quadratic elements; 3703 nodes) was generated and twenty one depth levels defined through the water column. Simulations were performed with a 50s time-integration intervals, resulting an average 4.57 Courant number. Dry and rainy season scenarios under neap and spring tides were simulated with good agreement between simulated and in situ data. Simulation for each scenario was conducted over a 10-days period, and the probability of the different currents intensity near the bottom relative to its ability to move the various sediments fractions were mapped. Simulation indicated a high potential for sediment transport in the area under more severe erosion. Here current intensification was verified at both seasons and during neap and spring tides. Fine sand have a 90% probability of being transported by local currents, medium and coarse sands a probability of 80% and very coarse sands a probability of 60%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botero, C., Anfuso, A., Williams, A.T., Zielinski, S., Silva, C.P., Cervantes, O., Silva, L., Cabrera, J.A. 2013. Reasons for beach choice: European and Caribbean perspectives Beach users' preferences range greatly according to their cultural and educational heritage, national and local traditions, social status, sex, etc. Questionnaire surveys carried out on beach user preferences (50 beach aspects) in Wales, UK (n = 2,345); Hollywood beach, Florida, USA (n = 83), the Costa Dorada, Spain (n =157); Malta (n = 154) and Turkey's Aegean coast (n = 245) showed that five parameters were of the greatest importance on beach choice: safety, facilities, water quality, litter and scenery. Such kind of detailed surveys has never been carried out in Caribbean countries. Consequently, a great uncertainty exists regarding beach users' preferences. During Easter 2012, a total of 435 beach users along eight beaches of the Caribbean littoral of Colombia (Mayapo, Riohacha, Taganga, Rodadero, Puerto Colombia, Salgar, Bocagrande and Manzanillo) were interviewed. Specifically, persons were asked (i) to choose from a list of parameters, the three most important aspects to be taken into account in choosing a beach and (ii) the reason they decided to visit that specific beach. Dealing with the former, results differed from ones recorded in Europe in that scenery was deemed not to be important. Concerning the latter, great variety of responses was recorded but the main aspect in beach selection was 'proximity' for both local and national visitors. Aspects such as 'a relaxed friendly' atmosphere and 'party atmosphere' were mentioned. In this sense, it is interesting to notice the particular perception that Caribbean beach users showed for the 'relaxed friendly' atmosphere. On many occasions beaches classified as such, were very crowded and extremely noisy because of loud music and peddlers. Results obtained constitute a first step in the knowledge of Caribbean beach users' preferences and therefore is one, which is of a great importance for beach management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Tourism around the Oder (Szczecin) Lagoon, at the southern Baltic coast, has a long tradition, is an important source of income and shall be further developed. Insufficient bathing water quality and frequent beach closings, especially in the Oder river mouth, hamper tourism development. Monitoring data gives only an incomplete picture of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria sources, spatial transport patterns, risks and does neither support an efficient bathing water quality management nor decision making. We apply a 3D ocean model and a Lagrangian particle tracking model to analyse pollution events and to obtain spatial E. coli pollution maps based on scenario simulations. Model results suggests that insufficient sewage treatment in the city of Szczecin is the major source of faecal pollution, even for beaches 20km downstream. E. coli mortality rate and emission intensity are key parameters for concentration levels downstream. Wind and river discharge play a modifying role. Prevailing southwestern wind conditions cause E. coli transport along the eastern coast and favour high concentration levels at the beaches. Our simulations indicate that beach closings in 2006 would not have been necessary according to the new EU-Bathing Water Quality Directive (2006/7/EC). The implementation of the new directive will, very likely, reduce the number of beach closings, but not the risk for summer tourists. Model results suggest, that a full sewage treatment in Szczecin would allow the establishment of new beaches closer to the city (north of Dabie lake). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of Sustainability in Debate / Sustentabilidade em Debate is the property of University of Brasilia, Center for Sustainable Development and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract: This paper reports results from a Willingness to Pay study using data from 402 respondents at the Turkish beaches of Kizkalesi, Yemiskumu and Susanoglu near Mersin. Of the respondents 92% expressed a WTP to see the beaches improved through tackling issues of washed up litter and man-made debris, provision of more social activities and to maintain the quality of the beach. The mean values to pay a reasonable charge were €2.33 for Kizkalesi, €2.22 for Yemiskumu and €1.77 for Susanoglu beach per adult beach visit. Fixed price per visit followed by voluntary box and through local taxes were the preferred mode of payment. It is suggested these findings have value for local governments for efficient beach management. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of Journal of Integrated Coastal Zone Management / Revista de Gestão Costeira Integrada is the property of Associacao Portuguesa dos Recursos Hidricos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Previous research has identified E. coli populations that persist in freshwater beach sand distinct from fecal pollution events. This work identifies factors that influence the survival of E. coli in sand using laboratory microcosms to replicate beach conditions. Microcosms were deployed to examine the effect of genetic background, competition with native microbial community, and increased nutrient concentrations on E. coli survival. Survival was comparable between the phylotypes B1 and B2, however, deficiency of stress response greatly reduced survival. In the absence of the native community under nutrient conditions comparable to those observed in sand, E. coli cell densities remained within an order of magnitude of initial concentrations after 5 weeks of incubation. Increased nitrogen was associated with decreased decay rates in the first 2 weeks, and increased carbon appeared to provide an advantage at later time points. However, the highest survival was found with the addition of both carbon and nitrogen. Native sand seeded with fresh Cladophora maintained higher concentrations of E. coli, compared to sand containing decayed Cladophora or no Cladophora . Our findings demonstrate persistent E. coli populations in sand can be affected by the availability of carbon and nitrogen, the ability to regulate stress, and the presence of algal mats (i.e., Cladophora ). Further, this work suggests that the native microbial communities may modulate survival by outcompeting E. coli for nutrients. IMPORTANCE Current monitoring for fecal pollution does not account for persistent E. coli populations in freshwater sand, which can result in higher concentrations in water when no threat to human health is present. This work examined the drivers for persistent E. coli populations in sand to aid beach management techniques. We examined the influence of nutrients, including localized sources such as stranded Cladophora , on E. coli populations. We found the major determinant of E. coli survival in freshwater beach sand was the addition of nutrients, specifically carbon and nitrogen concentrations 10-fold higher than baseline concentrations on beaches. This work provides the framework for identifying pollution sources that can promote E. coli survival in sand through the characterization of carbon and nitrogen content, which can be incorporated into beach management techniques. Through this improved knowledge, we can begin to understand E. coli fluctuations in water due to resuspension from sand into water.

At public beaches, it is now common to mitigate the impact of water-borne pathogens by posting a swimmer's advisory when the concentration of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) exceeds an action threshold. Since culturing the bacteria delays public notification when dangerous conditions exist, regression models are sometimes used to predict the FIB concentration based on readily-available environmental measurements. It is hard to know which environmental parameters are relevant to predicting FIB concentration, and the parameters are usually correlated, which can hurt the predictive power of a regression model. Here the method of partial least squares (PLS) is introduced to automate the regression modeling process. Model selection is reduced to the process of setting a tuning parameter to control the decision threshold that separates predicted exceedances of the standard from predicted non-exceedances. The method is validated by application to four Great Lakes beaches during the summer of 2010. Performance of the PLS models compares favorably to that of the existing state-of-the-art regression models at these four sites. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Insufficient hygienic water quality and bathing prohibitions are still a serious problem in the Szczecin Lagoon (southern Baltic). In our study we focus on the southern lagoon coast and analyse the causes and consequences of high Escherichia coli bacteria concentrations. For this purpose we carry out laboratory experiments on the behaviour of E.coli in the lagoon, a literature review and apply a three-dimensional flow model together with a Lagrangian particle tracking routine. Three major E.coli sources, the Uecker river, the wetlands with cattle as well as sea gulls with bathing and fisheries were allocated, quantified and compiled into an emission scenario. This serves as input for transport simulations under different wind conditions and for the development of a spatial contamination map. Reasons for high E.coli concentrations in the lagoon are a permanent supply from different sources and the special environmental situation in the lagoon. The availability of organic matter, either in form of reed stems or as muddy sediments, has a positive effect on bacteria survival. Very important, too, are the prevailing wind and flow conditions, which cause water and organism transport in narrow ribbons along the coastline and promote near-shore accumulations. Even in our shallow lagoon, the application of a 3D-model is beneficial. Heavy rains are, very likely, responsible for the outstanding high total-coliform concentrations of 11,000 cfu/100 ml on August 21, 2006. The model system proved to be a valuable tool for spatial analysis and is suitable to support the development of bathing water profiles according to the EU Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jellyfish accumulations are often problematic for tourism and fisheries both along European coastlines and overseas. They damage the reputation of several seaside resorts and cause serious economic losses. On the German Baltic coast, jellyfish accumulations are well known, too. Besides population increase due to anthropogenic effects, normal hydrodynamic processes are notable key factors when it comes to jellyfish accumulations. Along German Baltic coastlines, moon jellyfish ( Aurelia aurita) occur most frequently but also stinging lion's mane jellyfish ( Cyanea capillata) appear regularly, however not as abundant. The objectives of our study were a) to screen when, where, how many and which jellyfish species occur on German Baltic coasts, b) to find the causes for jellyfish accumulations and c) to evaluate how beach visitors perceive native medusae and whether information can influence their perception. Different methods where combined: systematic jellyfish observations in cooperation with lifeguards, investigations of jellyfish abundance in shallow water zones, and interviews with beach visitors. Our results suggest that jellyfish occurrence along the German Baltic coast correlates with offshore wind or shore-parallel wind, which cause upwelling events. In contrast, there is no evidence that frequency of jellyfish occurrence was dependent on water temperature in summer. In regard to tourism, we found that beach visitors who received information about jellyfish stated to feel significantly less bothered by medusae. Overall, this article addresses different methods to learn more about jellyfish accumulations and it shows information strategies in terms of improved beach management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A suitable knowledge of coastal systems, of their morphodynamic characteristics and their response to storm events and man-made structures is essential for littoral conservation and management. Nowadays webcams represent a useful device to obtain information from beaches. Video-monitoring techniques are generally site specific and softwares working with any image acquisition system are rare. Therefore, this work aims at submitting theory and applications of an experimental video monitoring software: Beachkeeper plus, a freeware non-profit software, can be employed and redistributed without modifications. A license file is provided inside software package and in the user guide. Beachkeeper plus is based on Matlab® and it can be used for the analysis of images and photos coming from any kind of acquisition system (webcams, digital cameras or images downloaded from internet), without any a-priori information or laboratory study of the acquisition system itself. Therefore, it could become a useful tool for beach planning. Through a simple guided interface, images can be analyzed by performing georeferentiation, rectification, averaging and variance. This software was initially operated in Pietra Ligure (Italy), using images from a tourist webcam, and in Mar del Plata (Argentina) using images from a digital camera. In both cases the reliability in different geomorphologic and morphodynamic conditions was confirmed by the good quality of obtained images after georeferentiation, rectification and averaging. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A high precision geometric method for automated shoreline detection from Landsat TM and ETM+ imagery is presented. The methodology is based on the application of an algorithm that ensures accurate image geometric registration and the use of a new algorithm for sub-pixel shoreline extraction, both at the sub-pixel level. The analysis of the initial errors shows the influence that differences in reflectance of land cover types have over shoreline detection, allowing us to create a model to substantially reduce these errors. Three correction models were defined according to the type of gain used in the acquisition of the original Landsat images. Error assessment tests were applied on three artificially stabilised coastal segments that have a constant and well-defined land-water boundary. A testing set of 45 images (28 TM, 10 ETM high-gain and 7 ETM low-gain) was used. The mean error obtained in shoreline location ranges from 1.22 to 1.63m, and the RMSE from 4.69 to 5.47m. Since the errors follow a normal distribution, then the maximum error at a given probability can be estimated. The results confirm that the use of Landsat imagery for detection of instantaneous coastlines yields accuracy comparable to high-resolution techniques, showing the potential of Landsat TM and ETM images in those applications where the instantaneous lines are a good geomorphological descriptor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This research investigated Social Carrying Capacity (SCC) in the context of beach management in Barbados. The research contributed to evidence-based decision making by providing data that can inform the enhancement of the beach management plan of the Government of Barbados. Data were gathered from locals and tourists visiting several beaches over a four year period, 2005 - 2009. Questionnaires were used to collect data on variables including: demographics, beach choice and use preferences, beach accessibility, beach amenities and activities, and perceptions of crowding. Findings indicated that there were distinct demographic use patterns with respect to time of use, activities and amenity preferences. It was found that while the existing beach management plan sought to create a balance between ecological and social objectives, it did not sufficiently reflect or take the diversity of the users into account. The study concluded that the diversity of needs and uses had the potential for user conflict, and therefore made recommendations for making the management plan more attentive to social carrying capacity issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A periodic and long-term beach monitoring and diagnostic system is developed for the design and assessment of coastal development plans at coastal zones of Gangwon Province. Nearly 300km shoreline appears along the east coast of Gangwon Province. A few beaches are under the control of military forces to keep citizens away. The coastal zone named Donghaean is composed of three major watershed zones. The beaches in this area are heavily influenced by the presence of coastal prevention projects including groins, detached breakwaters and seawall. Dataset of shorelines and beach profiles is consequently stored by the developed monitoring system and used to interpret the consequences of past events, while the beach diagnostic system is developed to predict the impact of future ones. This system covers a large coastal stretch divided into 20 watershed sectors for littoral analysis. One-dimensional inverse method and new sediment transport model (diffraction effects included) are used as a main tool to analyze and predict shoreline changes, respectively. In addition, two types of morphological models are also employed to investigate the more detailed seabed changes in the vicinity of fishery ports or river inlets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]