Why should we care about beaches?
Beaches protect residents living near the ocean by serving as a buffer against the high winds and waves of powerful storms and help drive economic activity important to nearby communities. They also provide permanent habitats for various plants and animals. A lot of marine animals depend on the beach ecosystem.
How do beaches affect the environment?
Erosion and Habitat Degradation
Overuse of the beach can lead to the gradual degradation of habitat. Walking on the dunes can destroy the plants, which allows the sand to blow away. Waves from boats close to the shoreline can also erode the beach.
What is the impact of beach?
Polluted beach water makes swimmers sick and hurts coastal economies. Illnesses associated with polluted beach water include stomach flu, skin rashes, pinkeye, respiratory infections, meningitis, and hepatitis. In addition to the health effects of polluted beach water, there may be deep financial impacts as well.
What is beach pollution?
Beach pollution is any harmful substance that contaminates our coasts, ranging from plastic, trash, and litter to sewage, pesticides, and oil. Excess amounts of natural substances, such as nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers and animal waste, are also pollutants.
How can we protect the beach from erosion?
Present beach erosion prevention methods include sand dunes, vegetation, seawalls, sandbags, and sand fences.