Scientists warn half the world’s beaches could disappear – ScienceDaily

Report on Coastal Ecosystem Degradation and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary: Threats to Coastal Integrity and SDG Attainment

A report based on findings presented at the FAPESP Day Uruguay symposium highlights the severe and accelerating degradation of global coastlines. This “coastal squeeze,” driven by climate-induced sea-level rise and unchecked urban development, poses a direct threat to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary concerns relate to the loss of biodiversity, the vulnerability of coastal communities, and the disruption of local economies, directly impacting SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

• Projected Impact: Scientific forecasts indicate that nearly half of the world’s sandy beaches could disappear by 2100.
• Economic and Social Consequences: The degradation disrupts economies reliant on tourism and fishing, undermining SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
• Increased Vulnerability: The loss of natural coastal defenses leaves urban areas more exposed to flooding and storm surges, a critical challenge for SDG 11.

Analysis of Interconnected Coastal Ecosystems and Biodiversity Loss (SDG 14 & SDG 15)

The coastal system functions as a single, interconnected ecosystem comprising three critical zones. The stability of this system is essential for maintaining marine and terrestrial biodiversity, aligning with the objectives of SDG 14 and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

1. Dune (Post-Beach): This zone acts as a natural sand reservoir and a critical buffer against storm surges. Its integrity is vital for terrestrial coastal life.
2. Beach Face: The intertidal zone facilitates a constant exchange of sediment, nourishing the entire system.
3. Foreshore (Submerged Zone): The area extending from the low tide mark, crucial for marine biodiversity and wave energy dissipation.

The bidirectional movement of sand between these zones maintains environmental equilibrium. Disruption in one area, such as the removal of dunes for construction, compromises the entire system’s resilience and biodiversity.

Impact of Urbanization and Human Activity on Coastal Health (SDG 11)

Research conducted along the Brazilian coastline demonstrates a direct correlation between human activities and the decline of coastal ecosystem health. These stressors challenge the sustainability of coastal cities and communities as outlined in SDG 11.

• Primary Stressors: A study published in Marine Pollution Bulletin identified the following key human impacts:
  • High concentrations of beachgoers, which had the most significant negative effect on species richness and biomass, particularly in submerged zones.
  • Construction directly on the sand, which eliminates natural dune buffers.
  • Mechanical beach cleaning, which reduces species richness.
• Ecosystem-Wide Effects: The research confirmed that human pressures on the upper beach (dry sand) have cascading negative effects on biodiversity in the lower intertidal and submerged zones, demonstrating that localized impacts have far-reaching consequences for marine life (SDG 14).
• Opportunistic Species: An increase in the abundance of certain opportunistic species, such as polychaetes, was noted near urban centers, indicating an ecological imbalance driven by organic matter from human sources.

Global Erosion Trends and the Urgency for Climate Action (SDG 13)

A global assessment of 315 beaches confirms that coastal erosion is a widespread and severe phenomenon, directly linked to the climate crisis. Addressing this requires urgent climate action in line with SDG 13.

• Severity of Erosion: The study, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, found that one-fifth of the evaluated beaches exhibit intense, extreme, or severe erosion.
• Contributing Factors: Key drivers include sea-level rise, altered wind patterns, and changing wave behavior, all consequences of climate change.
• Human Amplification: The research noted that human activities significantly exacerbate erosion, particularly on reflective and intermediate beaches, compounding the effects of climate change.

The Role of International Scientific Collaboration (SDG 17)

The findings underscore the necessity of cross-border cooperation to address a shared environmental crisis. The partnership between Uruguayan and Brazilian scientists, supported by institutions like FAPESP and ANII, serves as a model for achieving SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

• Shared Resources, Shared Responsibility: Nations like Uruguay, Brazil, and Argentina share coastal resources, necessitating joint management and conservation strategies.
• Collaborative Research: The joint projects discussed at the symposium provide critical data for evidence-based policymaking aimed at protecting coastal ecosystems.
• Symposium Outcome: The FAPESP Day Uruguay event highlighted the importance of strengthening regional and international partnerships to develop sustainable solutions for coastal management and climate adaptation.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water

   • The article’s central theme is the degradation of coastal ecosystems. It explicitly mentions that the ongoing process “damages the diverse life that depends on sandy environments” and discusses research findings that show human impacts “negatively affect biodiversity in the lower and submerged areas.” This directly relates to the goal of conserving and sustainably using marine resources.

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • The article identifies “climate-driven sea level rise” as a primary cause of coastal erosion. This links the entire issue to the urgent need to combat climate change and its impacts, which is the core of SDG 13.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • The text highlights the vulnerability of human settlements, stating that coastal erosion “leaves coastal cities more exposed to encroaching waters” and that urbanization eliminating dunes can result in the “destruction of seaside homes.” This connects to the goal of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

4. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • The article describes the coastal system as an interconnected ecosystem including the dune (post-beach), which is a terrestrial environment. The research shows that human activities on the upper part of the beach and dunes lead to a reduction in “species richness and biomass,” directly addressing the goal of halting biodiversity loss and protecting terrestrial ecosystems.

5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The article is framed around the “FAPESP Day Uruguay symposium” and repeatedly emphasizes the importance of collaboration. It mentions research conducted by Uruguayan scientist Omar Defeo’s team “in collaboration with Brazilian scientists supported by FAPESP” and calls for a “partnership with Brazilian scientists to manage and conserve coastal ecosystems,” showcasing the importance of partnerships to achieve sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water

   • Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts. The article’s entire focus on the negative impacts of urbanization and tourism on coastal biodiversity and the call to “manage and conserve coastal ecosystems” directly aligns with this target.

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The article discusses how “climate-driven sea level rise” increases the vulnerability of coastal zones, leading to erosion and making cities “more exposed to encroaching waters,” which underscores the need for enhanced resilience.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters. The article points to the “destruction of seaside homes” as a result of dune removal and storms, which is a direct economic and social loss caused by a water-related disaster.

4. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. The research findings cited in the article, which show that human activities “reduce species richness and biomass,” directly relate to this target of halting biodiversity loss and habitat degradation.

5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation. The article is a clear example of South-South cooperation, highlighting the partnership between Uruguayan and Brazilian scientists and research agencies (ANII and FAPESP) to address a shared environmental challenge.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health (SDG 14 & 15)

   • Species Richness and Biomass: The article explicitly mentions that research measured how “species richness and biomass” were negatively impacted by beachgoers, construction, and mechanical cleaning. This is a direct indicator of ecosystem health.
   • Rate of Beach Erosion/Disappearance: The article provides quantifiable data, such as “Almost half of the beaches will disappear by the end of the century” and “one-fifth [of 315 beaches worldwide] exhibit intense, extreme, or severe erosion.” These statistics can serve as indicators to track the degradation of coastal habitats.
   • Abundance of Opportunistic Species: The text notes that the “abundance (number of individuals) was higher in areas near urban centers,” specifically mentioning opportunistic species like polychaetes. A higher abundance of such species can indicate ecosystem imbalance and pollution.

2. Indicators for Community Resilience (SDG 11 & 13)

   • Extent of Urbanization on Coastlines: The presence of “buildings constructed directly on the sand” is mentioned as a stressor. The extent of such development can be used as an indicator of unsustainable practices and increased vulnerability.
   • Destruction of Coastal Infrastructure: The article mentions the “destruction of seaside homes” as a consequence of dune removal. The number of homes or value of infrastructure lost to coastal flooding and erosion is a direct indicator of economic and social impact.

3. Indicators for Partnerships (SDG 17)

   • Number of Collaborative Scientific Projects: The article describes specific research projects conducted jointly by scientists from Uruguay and Brazil, which can be counted as an indicator of scientific cooperation.
   • Number of Joint Symposiums and Panels: The “FAPESP Day Uruguay symposium” itself, featuring scientists and officials from both countries, is an event that serves as an indicator of partnership and knowledge sharing.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

Source: sciencedaily.com