Managing beyond ecosystem limits at the land-sea interface: The case of sandy beaches.

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]