An overview of dune protection in blue flag beaches in Spain
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| Keywords |
Quality
Topographic features > Landforms > Coastal landforms > Beaches
Marine/Coastal |
| Author keywords |
Blue Flag · Dune protection · Ecosystem restoration · Environmental education · Blue economy |
| Authors | | Top |
- Perez-Montero, A.
- Yuste Abad, V.
- Merino, F.
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| Abstract |
Coastal Ecosystem Protection is essential for enhancing sustainable tourism at beaches as part of the blue economy strategy. Ecosystem restoration is key to compensating the impact of coastal tourism on beaches. Blue Flag is a voluntary program that promotes ecosystem restoration of dunes at natural beaches. In Spain, there are 609 coastal beaches awarded with the Blue Flag in 2023. Of these, 178 have dunes, and 102 of those with dunes are already protected. We have analyzed the implementation of Blue Flag criteria in these 178 beaches focusing on dune protection and regeneration. The data analyzed has been gathered from control visits conducted on site. Results show that protection measures have been implemented in only 60% of the beaches analyzed and in only 40% are there are signs to prohibit beach users from crossing dune areas and to inform them about the importance of ecosystem restoration.We may conclude that more environmental education actions are required to support the protection and regeneration actions conducted by local, regional, and national authorities, as is funding that would allow such actions to draw upon experts on ecosystem restoration. Climate change adds urgency to the need for protecting dunes to compensate beach erosion. |
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