The Ecology of Sandy Shores

The Ecology of Sandy Shores, Fourth Edition provides both a holistic and conceptual introduction for the beginner, yet at the same time gives an in-depth and cutting-edge analysis for the researcher interested in sandy shores. There is no other book covering the ecology of sandy beaches, despite the extent and economic importance of these systems. This guide is designed to both introduce students to the basic principles of sandy shore ecology, to serve as a ready reference for doctoral students and researchers working on these systems, and to provide a handbook for land and coastal managers.

This new edition will focus on humans as part of the sandy beach environment, including aspects such as global change in coastal systems and its impacts on sandy littoral zones through ‘coastal squeeze’. Further, prominence will be given to resource use, such as artisanal fisheries and to the critical area of coastal zone management and governance. Considering these two main issues, the concept of sandy beaches as social-ecological systems will be developed together with an illustrative framework related to this approach.

Title of Book
Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. The Physical Environment
2.1 Introduction
2.2 The Littoral Active Zone
2.3 Sand
Particle Size
Porosity and Permeability
Sand Compaction and Penetrability
2.4 Waves
Wave Climate
Particle Motion
Types of Waves
Wave Energy
Refraction
Shoaling and Breaking
Estimating Wave and Breaker Height
Bound and Infragravity Waves: Surf Beat
Edge Waves
2.5 Other Drivers of Water Movement
Tides
Internal Waves
Wind
2.6 Sand Transport
2.7 Interactions among Beach Slope, Waves, Tides, and Sand
2.8 Beach Indices
2.9 Beach Types
Wave-dominated Beaches
Tidal Effects
2.10 Circulation Cells and Mixing
2.11 Embayments and Headlands
2.12 Swash Climate
2.13 Slope
2.14 Latitudinal Effects
2.15 Conclusions
Chapter 3. Between the Grains: The Interstitial System
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Characteristics of the System
Grain Size
Mineralogy
Sorting
Grain Shape
Porosity
Pore Size
Permeability
Moisture Content
Thixotropy and Dilatancy
3.3 Processes of Water Input
Groundwater Discharge
Tides
Beach Face Wave Run-up
Subtidal Wave Pumping
3.4 Water Filtration
Volumes and Residence Times of Tide- and Wave-driven Inputs
Flow Patterns and Interstitial Climate
Subtidal Wave Pumping: Input Volumes and Flow Patterns
3.5 Water Table Fluctuations
Tidal Effects
Groundwater and Swash Effects
Influence on Beach Face Erosion/Accretion
Zones of Interstitial Moisture
3.6 Interstitial Chemistry
Temperature
Groundwater Inputs
Salinity
Organic Inputs
Oxygen Concentrations
Nutrients
3.7 The Interstitial Continuum
3.8 Conclusions
Chapter 4. Beach and Surf-zone Flora
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Benthic Microflora
4.3 Surf-zone Phytoplankton
General Features
Surf Diatoms
Other Surf-Zone Forms
4.4 Seagrass Meadows and Connectivity with Beaches
4.5 Conclusions
Chapter 5. Sandy-Beach Invertebrates
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Important Groups
Phylum Porifera
Phylum Cnidaria
Phylum Platyhelminthes
Phylum Xenacelomorpha, Subphylum Acoelomorpha
Phylum Gnathostomulida
Phylum Nemertea
Phylum Nematoda
Phylum Acanthocephala
Phylum Rotifera
Phylum Gastrotricha
Phylum Kinorhyncha
Phylum Loricifera
Phylum Annelida
Clade Echiura
Order Sipuncula
Phylum Brachiopoda
Phylum Mollusca
Phylum Tardigrada
Phylum Arthropoda
Phylum Bryozoa
Phylum Echinodermata
Phylum Hemichordata
5.3 Conclusions
Chapter 6. Adaptations to Sandy-Beach Life
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Locomotion
Burrowing
Surfing and Coping with Swash
6.3 Rhythms of Activity
6.4 Sensory Responses and Orientation
6.5 Choice of Habitat
6.6 Nutrition
6.7 Respiration
6.8 Environmental Tolerances
6.9 Reproduction
6.10 Aggregations and Gregariousness
6.11 Avoidance of Predators
6.12 Phenotypic Plasticity
6.13 Human-induced Shifts in Faunal Behavior
6.14 Conclusions
Chapter 7. Benthic Macrofauna Communities
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Sampling
Sample Area and Species Accumulation Curves
Species–Area Relationships
7.3 Taxonomic Composition
7.4 Macroscale Patterns
Species Richness
Abundance, Biomass, and Density
Latitude
Factors Controlling Community Patterns
Deconstructing Diversity Patterns along the Morphodynamic Continuum
Other Trends: Body Size, Density, and Their Scaling
7.5 Mesoscale Patterns
Beach Length
Alongshore Variation
Across-Shore Variation
Zonation
Temporal Changes in Zonation
7.6 Microscale Patterns: The Forgotten Dimension
7.7 Species Interactions
Trophic Relations
Wrack-Dominated Shores
Predation
Competition
Mutualism and Commensalism
Parasitism
7.8 Regional and Local Factors Driving Community Composition
Disturbance, Succession, and Colonization
Historical Effects and the Emerging Metacommunity Concept in Sandy-Beach Ecology
7.9 Human-Induced Shifts in Community Patterns
7.10 Conclusions
Chapter 8. Benthic Macrofauna Populations
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Macroscale Patterns
Latitude
Beach Types, Zones, and Life Histories
Metapopulations
Connectivity: Genetics and Modeling
Metapopulations and Metacommunities: A Way Forward
Long-term Fluctuations
8.3 Mesoscale Patterns
Alongshore
Across Shore
Temporal Changes
8.4 Microscale Patterns
8.5 Human-induced Shifts in Macrofaunal Populations
8.6 Conclusions
Chapter 9. Interstitial Ecology
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Interstitial Climate
9.3 Sampling
9.4 Interstitial Biota
9.5 Distribution of Interstitial Fauna
9.6 Temporal Changes
9.7 Meiofaunal Communities
9.8 Trophic Relationships
9.9 Biological Interactions
9.10 Meiofauna as Bioindicators
9.11 Conclusions
Chapter 10. Surf-Zone Zooplankton and Nekton
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Zooplankton
Composition
Sampling
Adaptations
Migrations
Planktonic Larvae and Connectivity
Distribution
Biomass and Abundance
Food and Feeding Relationships
Human Impacts
10.3 Fishes
Composition
Sampling
Larvae, Juveniles, and Nursery Areas
Surf-Zone Fish Assemblages
Temporal Variability
Spatial Variability
Trophic Relationships
Human Impacts, Connectivity, and Conservation
10.4 Other Groups
10.5 Conclusions
Chapter 11. Other Marine and Terrestrial Vertebrates
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Turtles
Migrations, Homing, and Arribadas
Nesting
Threats and Conservation
11.3 Birds
Seasonality and Migrations
Foraging
Nesting
Human Impacts, Conservation and Management
11.4 The Scale Dependence of Sea Turtle and Shorebird Conservation
11.5 Conclusions
Chapter 12. Beach Ecosystems: Energy Flow, Nutrient Cycling, and Connectivity
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Food Sources
12.3 Macroscopic Food Webs
Energy Flow and Turnover Rates
Examples of Macroscopic Food Webs
India
Scotland
Western Australia
Western Cape, South Africa
Eastern Cape, South Africa
Uruguay
Food Web Dynamics and Trophic Niche Shifts
Variable Land-Derived Food Sources
Other Spatiotemporal Variations in Organic Inputs
12.4 Interstitial Food Webs
Scotland and India
Western Cape
Eastern Cape
12.5 The Microbial Loop in Surf Waters
12.6 Energy Flow in Beach and Surf-Zone Ecosystems
12.7 Case Study: Sandy Beaches of the Eastern Cape
12.8 Nutrient Cycling
Source/Sink Dynamics in Terms of Nutrient Cycling
12.9 Charting a Path Forward: Meta-Ecosystems
12.10 Conclusions
Chapter 13. Coastal Dune Ecosystems and Dune–Beach Interactions
13.1 Introduction
13.2 The Physical Environment
13.3 Coastal Dune Formation by Vegetation
13.4 Dune Types
13.5 Edaphic Features
13.6 Water
13.7 The Gradient Across Coastal Dunefields
13.8 Dune Vegetation
13.9 The Fauna
13.10 Food Webs
13.11 Dune–Beach Exchanges and Connectivity
13.12 Human Impacts
13.13 Conclusions
Chapter 14. Fisheries
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Fishery Types, Resources, and Extraction Practices
Fishery Types
Resources and Extraction Practices
Surf-Zone Fauna
Supralittoral and Intertidal Benthic Invertebrates
Beach-cast Macroalgae
14.3 Fisheries as Social–Ecological Systems
System Structure
Main Components
Relevant Ecological Issues for Assessing and Managing the SES
Spatial Structure
Metapopulations
Density-dependent and Environmental Factors
Ecological Effects of Fishing
External Drivers
14.4 Harvesting Phases and Long-Term Trends
Harvesting Phases
Long-term Bioeconomic Trends
14.5 Assessment
Information Requirements for Monitoring Stock Condition
Fishery Performance Indicators
Four Sustainability Pillars: Ecological, Economic, Social, and Institutional
Assessing Trends in Reference Points
14.6 Governance and Management
Governance
Management
Single Species and the EAF
Operational Management Strategies
Spatially Explicit Strategies
Territorial Use Rights and Privileges
Harmonizing Scales in Management and Governance: Social–Ecological and Institutional Fit
14.7 Conclusions
Chapter 15. Human Impacts
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Recreation
Off-road Vehicles
Trampling and Related Recreational Activities
15.3 Fouling
Beach Cleaning
Eutrophication: Green and Golden Tides
15.4 Pollution
Crude Oil Pollution
Plastics and Microplastics
Sewage and Organic Enrichment
Heavy Metals
Effluents
15.5 Biological Invasions
15.6 Nourishment
15.7 Mining
15.8 Coastal Development and Engineering
The Role of Human Pressure
Disrupting Sediment Transport
Impacts on Fauna
15.9 Urbanization
Urbanization Components and Metrics
Artificial Light at Night
Urbanization and Morphodynamics: The Cumulative Harshness Hypothesis
15.10 Impact Assessments
Assessment Approaches, Warnings, and Perspectives
Indicators
The Triad Approach in Pollution Assessments
Toxicity Studies
Multiple Exposure and Multidimensional Frameworks for Impact Assessments
15.11 Human Influence on the Evolution of Beaches
15.12 Conclusions
Chapter 16. Climate Change
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Climate Change: Main Drivers and Potential Effects on the Sandy-Beach Habitat
Ocean Warming
Sea-Level Rise
Sea-Level Pressure and Winds
Heatwaves and Other Extreme Events
Acidification
Climate Change and Urbanization in Synergy: Coastal Squeeze
Compound Effects of Climate and Non-climate Drivers
16.3 Conceptual Basis for Testing Climate-Change Impacts on Beaches
16.4 Climate Change and Sandy-Beach Fauna
Life Histories and Differential Responses to Climate Change
Distribution, Range Shifts, Mass Mortalities, and Extirpations
Behavior and Related Responses
Demography and Population Dynamics
Diseases
Community and Ecosystem Responses
Regime Shifts and Tipping Points
Methodological Approaches and Concerns
16.5 Socioeconomic Effects, Management, and Governance
Socioeconomic Implications of Climate Change
Management and Governance of Climate-Change Effects
16.6 Case Study: Sandy Beaches in the Southwest Atlantic
Effects on the Environment
Effects on the Biota at Different Organizational Levels
Socioeconomic Impacts
16.7 Conclusions
Chapter 17. Management
17.1 Introduction
17.2 Ecosystem Services, Ecological Infrastructure, and Bundles
17.3 The Fragile Littoral Active Zone
17.4 Management Principles and Tools
Principle 1: Manage the LAZ as a Unit and Acknowledge Its Interconnectedness with Adjacent Ecosystems
Identify the Basic Physical Processes and Scales Relevant to the LAZ
Recognize the Basic Ecological Features of Beaches and Dunes
Protect the Foredunes as a Buffer
Employ Setbacks to Allow Landward Retreat and Keep the LAZ Intact
Address LAZ Interconnectedness with Adjacent Ecosystems
Case Study. The Implications of Interfering with LAZ Sand Budgets: Headland Bypass Dunes in Cape St. Francis, South Africa
Principle 2: Assess Shoreline Evolution and Erosion Hazards
Principle 3: Determine Pollution, Health, and Safety Levels
Principle 4: Undertake Environmental Impact Assessments
Principle 5: Develop Management Plans
Objectives, Components, and Phases
Restoration, Rehabilitation, and Mitigation: Designing with Nature
Principle 6: Control Access and Estimate Carrying Capacity
Principle 7: Set Spatially Explicit Management Strategies for Multiple Use Planning
Mesoscale Zoning
Macroscale Zoning: Beach Management Units and Protected Areas
Megascale Zoning: Managing Beyond the Beach
Principle 8: Manage Sandy-Beach Services as Social–Ecological Systems
Principle 9: Address Governance Structure and Processes
Principle 10: Identify Relevant External Drivers and Their Scales of Influence
17.5 Dealing with Multiple Management Objectives
Core Management Approaches
Managing for Recreation, Conservation, and Multipurpose Use
Case Studies
Enhancing Beach Management Through Coastal Scenery Assessment
Conservation and the Role of Protected Areas
Are Sandy-Beach Ecosystems at Risk?
17.6 Conclusions
Chapter 18. Epilogue
Appendix: The Chemical Environment of Sediments
Glossary
Bibliography
Index

Life Sciences

Physical Sciences & Engineering

Social Sciences & Humanities

Health

The Ecology of Sandy Shores

Purchase options

World Book Day Celebration!

Institutional subscription on ScienceDirect

Omar Defeo

Anton McLachlan

Related books