Beaches
Beaches form where ocean or lake waters meets land and waves interact with sand, gravel, or pebbles. Although scientists do not always agree on the exact definition of a beach, it is certain that beaches are coastal areas where sediment carried by waves accumulates. Nearly anything that waves can move may form a beach, but we commonly think of beaches as the sandy shores of oceans and lakes backed by rows of dunes, coastal bluffs, or rocky headlands.
Beaches are integral parts of coastal ecosystems and coastal communities, and they have enormous impacts on the economies of the local areas. Beaches provide protection to both homes and inland habitat from the dangerous effects of coastal storms – they absorb impacts of strong winds and crashing waves during storms. Beaches are homes or nesting areas for many plants and animals, including sea oats, beach lupine, coquina clams, ghost crabs, dune beetles, snowy plovers, and nesting sea turtles. Beaches also provide community residents and visitors with opportunities for recreation such as fishing, swimming, beachcombing, bird-watching, and sunbathing.
As more people move to coastal areas beaches face increased pressure from overuse, pollution, and development. For example, without proper public accessways for foot traffic, dunes may be trampled and nesting habitat for birds and turtles may be destroyed. Increased boat traffic in nearshore waters can further contribute to pollution and erosion. Beach and water quality is affected by polluted runoff (or nonpoint source pollution) from upland areas and petroleum leaks from boats. The damming of rivers traps sediment that would otherwise supply beaches with new sand and contributes to changes in beach erosion patterns.
Communities can employ a variety of tools to promote stewardship of local beaches, ranging from pollution prevention, clean up, and education to land acquisition and comprehensive beach management. Citizen involvement is key to maintaining living beach ecosystems that provide habitat and recreation. Communities can organize beach clean-ups to promote stewardship and healthy beaches. Citizen beach monitoring groups can provide essential data on the status of local beaches. Local groups across the country are monitoring everything from shoreline change and water quality to turtle nesting and biodiversity. Many communities are establishing projects to plant native dune vegetation, rebuild dunes, and restore shorelines. Some communities are truly protecting their beaches by purchasing property or the rights to develop on beachfront property.