Conservation of sandy beaches as a natural environment along the Flemish coast
Herrier, J.-L.; Belpaeme, K.; Remans, K. (2004). Conservation of sandy beaches as a natural environment along the Flemish coast, in: Green, D.R. et al. Littoral 2004: 7th International Symposium. Delivering Sustainable Coasts: Connecting Science and Policy, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK, 20th - 22nd September 2004. Proceedings volume 1. pp. 176-183 In: Green, D.R. et al. (2004). Littoral 2004: 7th International Symposium. Delivering Sustainable Coasts: Connecting Science and Policy, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK, 20th - 22nd September 2004. Proceedings volume 1. Cambridge Publications: Cambridge. ISBN 0-9540081-1-1. XIV, 1-424 pp., more |
| Available in | Authors | | Document type: Conference paper
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| Keywords | Conservation
Topographic features > Landforms > Coastal landforms > Beaches
ANE, Belgium, Belgian Coast [Marine Regions]; ANE, Belgium, Knokke-Heist, Baai van Heist [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal |
| Abstract | Touristic development and recreational use prevent coastal birdspecies such as Terns and Plovers to breed on the beaches along the Flemish coast. The formation of floodmark-vegetations and embryonic dunes is obstructed by mechanical beach-cleaning. Recreational fisheries put benthos, marine mammals and birds under unnecessary pressure. The physical environment of sandy beaches is altered by constructions and coastal defence measures. Two sandy beach sites have been designated as nature reserves: 'The Bay of Heist' near Zeebrugge in 1997 (54 hectares) and the beach in front of the Yzer Rivermouth at Nieuwpoort in 1999 (61 hectares). In implementation of the European 'Habitat-directive' six areas of sandy beach, with a total superficies of 380 hectares, have been proposed as candidate - SAC. Until now only in the nature reserve 'The Bay of Heist' some access-regulation has been enforced with growing success. To be able to enforce some regulatory measures on other protected beach areas, a lot of public awareness-building is still needed. |
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