In the face of increasing natural and anthropogenic pressures, coastal erosion appears to be a key factor in the reshaping of Mediterranean coastlines, making the implementation of sustainable coastal zone management strategies more complex. This study examines the evolution of Algeria’s central coastline over the period 2002–2020 and seeks to understand the extent to which prevailing hydrodynamic conditions contribute to the observed morphological dynamics. The methodological approach combines a diachronic analysis of the coastline with a characterisation of swell conditions. Successive coastlines are extracted from very high-resolution satellite imagery, integrated into a geographic information system (GIS) environment and processed using the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) extension. This approach makes it possible to calculate, for 25,966 transects, the rate of change of the coastline (EPR, in m/year) and the net shift (NSM, in m), and to map the areas undergoing erosion and accretion. At the same time, the hydrodynamic analysis is based on three reference points aligned east-west, situated in the open sea and perpendicular to the coast, in order to track the main wave parameters (significant wave height, mean period, mean direction). This system enables the measured morphological dynamics to be linked to the dominant hydrodynamic forcings. The results highlight significant spatial variability in coastal dynamics. Across the entire study area, the overall EPR (0.098 m/year) and the average NSM (1.081 m) suggest relative stability of the coastline, but mask marked contrasts between sub-sectors: Tipaza has an average EPR of − 0.0413 m/year and an average NSM of − 0.454 m, indicating a slight tendency towards erosion; Algiers is characterised by an average EPR of 1.162 m/year and an average NSM of 12.789 m, revealing a dominant accretion; Boumerdes has an average EPR of − 0.826 m/year and an average NSM of − 9.092 m, reflecting pronounced erosion. These contrasting dynamics are closely linked to swell patterns, which are influenced by the orientation of the coastline, local bathymetry, coastal geomorphology and coastal drift, whilst coastal defences locally disrupt sediment transport. The study thus provides quantified data on the interactions between hydrodynamic forces and morphological responses, and offers a useful analytical framework for identifying vulnerable areas, supporting decision-making on erosion risk management, and designing strategies for the sustainable development of the central Algerian coastline.
Beach quality assessment is essential for supporting sustainable coastal management and tourism development. This study applied the Beach Quality Index (BQI) to evaluate eight representative beaches along the Ninh Binh coast, northern Vietnam. The assessment integrated three key dimensions of beach quality, including Recreational Index (RI), Ecological Index (NI), and Protective Index (PI), based on field surveys, environmental monitoring data, and beach morphological characteristics. The results showed that BQI values ranged from 0.61 to 0.81, indicating considerable spatial variation among the studied beaches. Hai Dong and Hai Chinh achieved the highest BQI values (0.81) and were classified as “Very Good”, while Hai Ly and Thinh Long exhibited the lowest values (0.63 and 0.61, respectively). Recreational quality showed relatively small variation (RI = 0.73–0.86), reflecting generally similar recreational-function conditions across the study area. In contrast, ecological and coastal-protection functions displayed greater variability, with NI ranging from 0.33 to 0.67 and PI from 0.44 to 1.00. Rang Dong demonstrated the highest ecological value due to its relatively intact natural landscape and coastal ecosystems, whereas Hai Dong and Hai Chinh exhibited the strongest coastal-protection capacity. Environmental quality and microbiological conditions generally complied with the applicable national environmental standards during the survey period. Although several beaches exhibited generally favorable integrated beach-quality conditions, coastal solid-waste accumulation remained an important environmental-management concern within parts of the study area. The findings suggest that ecological integrity and coastal-protection functions contributed more strongly to variations in overall beach quality than recreational-function conditions within the investigated coastal area. The proposed BQI framework provides a preliminary integrated approach for evaluating recreational, ecological, and coastal-protection functions of beaches in northern Vietnam and may support future coastal-management and tourism-planning activities.
This study quantifies multi-decadal coastal-boundary movement and evaluates conditional future-position scenarios along the approximately 9.8 km Jazireh Shomali–Bandar Rig sector of the northern Persian Gulf. Four Landsat waterlines from 1993, 2002, 2013, and 2023 were extracted with the Tasseled Cap Wetness component and analysed with the Digital Shoreline Analysis System across 195 transects spaced at 50 m. Post hoc Otsu thresholds, perturbations of ± 0.01 and ± 0.02 Wetness units, and an independent Modified Normalized Difference Water Index classification were used to evaluate extraction robustness. The 2023 waterline was also compared with a Google Earth line acquired 33 days earlier. Net movement averaged − 264.35 m; mean endpoint and linear-regression rates were − 8.84 and − 10.16 m per year. Using common thresholds of less than − 0.25, − 0.25 to + 0.25, and greater than + 0.25 m per year, endpoint rates classified 127, 19, and 49 transects as erosional, stable, and accretional. Endpoint and regression rates were strongly correlated (r = 0.996; class agreement = 91.8
Coastal dunes are fragile ecosystems vulnerable to erosion. To counteract the degradation and promote the restoration, techniques, such as soil bioengineering, are increasingly used. This study aims to provide new insights into the long-term effects of soil bioengineering works for dune erosion control by combining-field and remote monitoring actions. This study uses remote sensing techniques and NDVI to analyse the dynamics of vegetation on coastal dunes following a soil bioengineering intervention. Using images acquired from the PlanetScope and Sentinel-2 satellites, the calculated NDVI was compared with climate data recorded from a nearby meteorological station and field monitoring. The in-field monitoring campaign, consisting in the assessment of the survival rate of the planted species, was carried out from the realization of the soil bioengineering works. Data collected at the study site between 2020 and 2023 showed that shrubs and herbaceous plants in the forebay and backdune suffered from prolonged summer drought, as confirmed by analysis of climate data. However, an increase in NDVI values was observed at the study site subsequent to the soil bioengineering interventions. The analysis of the effect of the soil bioengineering techniques revealed an accumulation of sandy material upward and downward the work and the establishment of colonization processes by native species. Despite a reduction of the planted shrub species, the observed increase in NDVI values suggests an improvement in vegetation conditions in the intervention area, confirming the effectiveness of the techniques adopted. Both satellite datasets revealed consistent trends in vegetation indices, though Sentinel-2 imagery is a cost-effective option for large-scale vegetation monitoring.
Mangroves are the most important coastal ecosystems; they are the center of biodiversity and offer enormous ecological advantages. But over the past few decades, the mangrove has faced intense stress from exploitation, which, along with direct clearing and conversion, has put the mangrove in grave danger. Anthropogenic activities like conversion of mangrove ecosystem into ponds for aquaculture, clearance of mangrove trees for wood, shrimp farming, pollution by oil spillage and heavy metals, solid waste dumping, climate change and sea level rise etc. have put this vital ecosystem in prominent face of threats. This review paper gives a general outline of the threats faced by mangrove ecosystem which are the potential risk for their survival and existence.
In order to determine the homogeneity of the protozoa community around the intertidal zone of Yellow Sea, northern China, a 21-day baseline survey was conducted. A total of 92 protozoa species were identified from the highest to lowest 5 sampling sites (A-E) in the intertidal zone. The protozoan fauna showed similar colonization dynamics: from initial (3–5 days), transitional (7–10 days) to mature (14–21days) communities at all five tidelines. The periphytic protozoan fauna showed significant difference along five tidelines. Multivariate approaches demonstrated that there was high homogeneity in the protozoan fauna in the area (site D) near the lowest tideline in the intertidal zone. Therefore, it is suggested that the area (site D) near the lowest tideline could be adopted as the most suitable sampling station for intertidal ecosystem monitoring.
North Sulawesi is part of the Coral Triangle ecoregion and one of Indonesia’s most popular diving destinations. It comprises many islands, including Bunaken National Marine Park. Studies focusing on the non-coral benthic invertebrates in marine tourism areas were limited. This study initiates a survey of mollusks and echinoderms in the intertidal area, which encompasses coral reef and seagrass-dominated habitats in North Sulawesi, to understand their diversity and abundance, and to compare these between the marine protected area (MPA) and non-MPA. A total of 935 individuals, comprising 24 species, were observed. Linckia laevigata was the dominant species at most study sites, while Drupella cornus and Diadema setosum were dominant at a particular site within the coral reef habitat. L. laevigata, Protoreaster nodosus, and Echinometra mathaei were dominant at a particular site within a seagrass-dominated habitat. Three taxa were found in all study sites: L. laevigata, Drupella cornus, and Tridacna spp. Economically important taxa (sea cucumbers and giant clams) were recorded in low numbers. Overall, species richness in the MPA was not much different from that in the non-MPA. Understanding the community structure and assemblage of mollusks and echinoderms can serve as baseline information to support the reassessment of the zonation of the North Sulawesi conservation area.
This study aims to describe a new Crataegus monogyna association from the Yeşilırmak Delta and to evaluate its floristic, ecological, and syntaxonomic relationships with previously described Crataegus monogyna syntaxa in Europe. Yeşilırmak Delta / Samsun / Türkiye. Vegetation surveys were conducted in the back-dune zone of the Yeşilırmak Delta following the Braun-Blanquet approach and the minimal area concept. The new association was named in accordance with the ICPN (International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature). Floristic relationships with previously described Crataegus monogyna syntaxa were evaluated using Sørensen’s similarity index, a synoptic table, DCA ordination, and Ward’s hierarchical cluster analysis based on species constancy data. Soil samples representing the study area were collected and analysed. The investigated shrub community in the Yeşilırmak Delta is dominated by Crataegus monogyna. It exhibits a semi-open mosaic structure, with shrub patches alternating with herbaceous vegetation on sandy substrates. It is described here as Chrysojasmino fruticantis–Crataegetum monogynae ass. nov. and is assigned to the alliance Berberidion vulgaris, order Prunetalia spinosae, and class Crataego–Prunetea. The Chrysojasmino fruticantis–Crataegetum monogynae represents the first Crataegus monogyna association described from coastal sand dunes. These findings highlight the ecological uniqueness and conservation importance of the vulnerable back-dune habitats of the Yeşilırmak Delta.
Maize production in the Ganges delta coastal ecosystem is increasingly threatened by late-sowing-via-conventional-tillage which delays sowing until January and exposes crops to cyclones, tidal flooding etc. in April-May. This three-year field study evaluated a novel strip tillage technology that enables early sowing in wet soil conditions immediately after Aman rice that is traditionally harvested in the first week of January, allowing maize to escape climatic hazards. The experiment, conducted during the 2022–2024 Rabi seasons, compared early-sowing-via-strip-tillage and late-sowing-via-conventional-tillage under three phosphorus (P) rates (50, 60, and 70 kg ha−1). Conventional full tillage was done after drying of soil in the first week of January, while strip tillage was done immediately after harvesting of Aman rice within mid-December into wet soil conditions. Strip tillage advanced sowing by 20–25 days and facilitated harvest by early May, which reduced the risk of crop loss from climatic extremes. Across three-years the grain yield was 9.88–11.2 t ha−1 in early-sowing-via-strip-tillage and 9.28–10.7 t ha−1 in late-sowing-via-conventional-tillage. Early-sowing-via-strip-tillage consistently increased maize grain yield by 5–12
This study provides a multi-matrix assessment of microplastic (MP) contamination in seawater, sediments, and the amphibious mudskipper Periophthalmus waltoni across six coastal sites along the northern Persian Gulf (Bushehr Province, Iran). Widespread microplastic pollution was found characterized by distinct physical and chromatic patterns across environmental compartments. Mean MP abundances were 23.11 ± 9.17 particles/km² in seawater, 161.66 ± 36.7 particles/kg in sediments, and 6.50 ± 5.17 particles per fish. Polyethylene (PE) dominated all matrices (seawater: 75.39
This study evaluated the biophysical suitability of degraded brackish water ponds affected by acid sulfate soils (ASS) for conversion into conservation-oriented silvo-aquaculture systems that support mangrove restoration. Conducted in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, the study examined how hydrological conditions, pond elevation, and ASS characteristics interact to influence early mangrove establishment. Unlike previous studies that primarily emphasized pond engineering or mangrove planting separately, this study identifies ecological and hydrological criteria for rehabilitating ASS-affected coastal ponds through integrated silvo-aquaculture model. Pond elevation relative to tidal inundation, seasonal salinity, and ASS constraints were the principal factors affecting mangrove establishment. Rhizophora mucronata exhibited higher early survival than Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, with the best performance recorded on 30-cm soil mounds under more favourable hydrological conditions. The results indicate that appropriate pond elevation and improved tidal connectivity can reduce environmental stress associated with ASS and high salinity, thereby enhancing early mangrove establishment. The study demonstrates that hydrological control and ASS remediation are fundamental components of conservation-oriented silvo-aquaculture. By integrating pond engineering with ecological restoration principles, the proposed approach provides practical guidance for rehabilitating degraded coastal ponds while supporting mangrove restoration, coastal resilience, biodiversity conservation, and climate change adaptation. Because mangrove performance was evaluated only during the first 100 days after planting, the findings should be interpreted as evidence of early establishment success rather than long-term restoration outcomes. The proposed framework offers a science-based Nature-based Solution that can support restoration planning in ASS-affected tropical coastal regions.
Coastal forests and mangroves provide critical ecological functions for biodiversity conservation, coastal protection, and ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction, yet their habitat quality is increasingly threatened by urban expansion and competing land uses. Previous InVEST-based habitat quality studies commonly rely on expert-derived threat weights and sensitivity scores, which may introduce subjectivity into spatial ecological assessments. This study develops a statistical-distance InVEST approach to evaluate the spatial–temporal dynamics of coastal forest and mangrove habitat quality in Bengkulu City, Indonesia, from 1993 to 2023 and to assess the potential effect of the 2021–2041 Regional Spatial Plan scenario. Landsat-based land cover maps were classified into eleven classes and validated using accuracy assessment. Euclidean distance analysis and binary logistic regression were then used to derive threat influence distances and proportional threat weights for habitat degradation modeling. The results show substantial coastal ecosystem loss over three decades. Coastal forest declined from 984.28 ha in 1993 to 340.31 ha in 2023, while mangroves decreased from 288.50 ha to 189.78 ha. Built-up area expanded from 1,692.60 ha to 5,964.58 ha, indicating strong urbanization pressure. Habitat quality also shifted toward lower classes, with very low-quality coastal forest increasing to 262.64 ha in 2023 and very low-quality mangrove habitat reaching 94.02 ha. Under the Regional Spatial Plan scenario, very low-quality coastal forest habitat decreased by 160.77 ha, while high and very high-quality classes increased by 18.37 ha and 30.40 ha, respectively. Mangroves also improved, with high and very high-quality classes increasing by 18.94 ha and 19.52 ha. These findings indicate that spatial planning can improve coastal habitat quality when protected-area zoning is effectively implemented, but recovery remains spatially uneven. The study contributes a more data-driven parameterization of InVEST habitat threats and provides policy-relevant evidence for integrating coastal habitat conservation into disaster-risk-sensitive urban planning.
Climate change, sea-level rise, coastal erosion, salinity intrusion, and anthropogenic pressures increasingly threaten the Sundarbans, the world's largest contiguous mangrove ecosystem, highlighting the need for a comprehensive synthesis of existing research to support its sustainable management. This study integrates bibliometric analysis and a systematic literature review to examine research trends, knowledge gaps, and future directions related to the sustainable conservation of the Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem from 1985 to 2025. The bibliometric analysis included 685 peer-reviewed publications and was used to investigate publication trends, research hotspots, collaboration networks, and thematic evolution. In parallel, a systematic review of 100 studies was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines to synthesize evidence concerning mangrove ecology, shoreline dynamics, climate change, biodiversity, conservation, and technological advances. The findings reveal the principal research themes, temporal patterns, and emerging topics within the field. India was the most productive country, with 283 publications and 6144 total citations, while the University of Calcutta recorded the highest institutional scientific output, with 245 publications. The study also identifies emerging research tools and techniques and demonstrates a gradual shift from traditional field-based ecological research toward multidisciplinary approaches incorporating remote sensing, geographic information systems, machine learning, artificial intelligence, ecosystem-service assessment, and predictive modelling. The overarching research themes included climate change, mangrove degradation, shoreline dynamics, blue carbon, ecosystem resilience, and geospatial monitoring. The review further identifies critical knowledge gaps, including insufficient long-term ecological monitoring, limited integration of socio-ecological processes, and the inadequate application of artificial intelligence-based decision-support systems. Based on these findings, an integrated climate–ecosystem–livelihood framework and a future research roadmap for 2025–2050 are proposed to support the sustainable management and resilience of the Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem.
The Blue Economy (BE) harnesses the ocean resources for economic growth and improved livelihoods, without harming the ocean health, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14. India, with 7,500 km2 of coastline and a significant coastal population, is highly reliant on the BE for its coastal success. This study assesses the nine Indian coastal states based on BE parameters, tracking both their performance and progress in Blue Economy outcomes over seven years (2015–16 to 2022–23). Coastal water quality, mangrove density and beach litter are some of the key variables used in the study. Among the Indian states, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha show marked improvements in ecosystem health, attributed to targeted policy measures and strong regulatory frameworks. In contrast, industrialised states like Maharashtra and Gujarat consistently score low, highlighting the limited influence of marine sectors within their broader economies and ongoing environmental challenges. Tourism-led economies like Goa achieve high sustainability outcomes through focused governance and effective conservation policies. The analysis underscores the importance of indicator selection, and hence, three different case scenarios on fishing sustainability have been studied based on the need. The study states that integrated, region-specific strategies and effective governance are essential to translate ecological endowments into sustainable coastal development, especially in light of pronounced intra-state differences in BE performance.
Groundwater is an important resource in arid and semiarid regions worldwide. Lasbela, the coastal district of Balochistan in Pakistan face water scarcity and the residents primarily depend on groundwater for drinking purpose. In such hydrologically constrained environment, water quality assessment is imperative to ensure the protection of public health and ecological integrity. The objectives were to conduct water quality analysis, assess water indices and pollution sources, develop geospatial maps and comparative analysis with other coastal zones. Laboratory and in-suite analysis of 14 water parameters (n = 75) were performed. Water quality index (WQI) and synthetic pollution index (SPI) were analysed. Ordinary kriging tool was used for maps, and multivariate statistical techniques were used to assess pollution sources. WQI categorized samples into 26.6
The Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world, acts as a major natural defense against cyclones along the coast of Bangladesh. This paper examines the relationship between vegetation health (measured by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, NDVI, and the Enhanced Vegetation Index, EVI) and cyclone-induced deaths and housing losses from 2007 to 2024. Remote sensing data from Landsat, cyclone impact data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and EM-DAT, and spatial GIS were integrated to measure vegetation change and cyclone impact in Sundarban-protected and unprotected coastal districts. Findings indicate a minor shrinkage in thick vegetation (86
This study documents how salinity intrusion affects household water availability, livelihoods, and perceived health in southwestern coastal Bangladesh. This qualitative study was conducted between April and May 2025, comprising six focus group discussions (n = 67 community participants) and 16 key informant interviews with government, non‑governmental, and academic stakeholders across Satkhira, Khulna, and Bagerhat districts. Transcripts were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis with data-source triangulation and iterative coding until thematic saturation. Key findings emerged: (1) extensive contamination of groundwater and surface water with many deep tube wells yielding saline water, forcing households to travel, purchase, or rely on stored rainwater (typically lasting 3–4 months); (2) strong seasonality, with monsoon months offering temporary relief while the dry season (Nov–May, peaking Mar–May) concentrates salts and coincides with increases in waterborne, dermatological, urinary, and heat-related complaints; (3) disproportionate socioeconomic and gendered vulnerability affecting women, children, the elderly, and low-income farming/fishing households; and (4) livelihood shifts toward shrimp aquaculture that provide income yet perpetuate salinization., creating a socio‑ecological feedback loop. This study emphasized community‑managed technologies, as depth alone is not a reliable technical fix, sustainable operation and maintenance financing, gender‑sensitive service design, and seasonally targeted health and water interventions. Study limitations include purposive sampling, reliance on self‑reported health outcomes without clinical or biomarker validation, and a short field window. Thus, mixed‑method longitudinal research linking environmental measurements and biomarkers to health outcomes, alongside implementation research to evaluate the acceptability, equity, and cost‑effectiveness of locally appropriate water and health interventions, was recommended.
Wetlands are essential ecosystems that support numerous natural cycles and provide critical habitats for wildlife. Despite various studies examining changes in Türkiye’s inland water bodies, there is a notable lack of comprehensive research focusing on the shoreline dynamics and management of its internationally significant Ramsar sites. This research focuses on four Ramsar-listed inland wetland ecosystems in Türkiye—Burdur, Uluabat, Seyfe, and Manyas. Using satellite imagery from 2016, 2020, and 2024, the historical and current shoreline dynamics and spatial extents of these sites were analyzed through NDWI, WRI, NDVI, mNDWI, and AWEI. Correlation analysis among these indices provided insights into the vegetation boundary conditions. Additionally, temperature and precipitation trends were examined to assess climate change impacts. To forecast future spatial trends, the ARIMA model was applied, projecting the shoreline retreat over the next eight years. The analysis indicates alarming trends, particularly for Seyfe and Burdur. By 2033, Burdur is expected to experience significant shoreline recession, losing about 18.37
Purpose: This study examines the drivers, impacts, and policy responses related to mangrove degradation in coastal tourism regions, with a comparative focus on local communities and institutional stakeholders. Methods: This study was conducted in Hormozgan Province, southern Iran, and draws on a qualitative thematic analysis of 26 semi-structured interviews—11 with residents and 15 with officials from environmental and governmental institutions. Results: The analysis generated 466 initial codes (191 from community data and 275 from institutional data), which were organized into four main themes: drivers, impacts, conservation measures, and policy recommendations. The findings reveal a multi-causal pattern of mangrove degradation, including natural, human-induced, industrial, and tourism-related pressures, with fuel smuggling emerging as the most dominant driver across both stakeholder groups. The study also identifies underexplored, context-specific factors, such as livestock grazing, plant diseases, and high-speed boat traffic. While both stakeholder groups agree on key impacts, particularly declining tourism attractiveness and livelihood disruption, they differ in their interpretations, especially regarding tourism pressure (behavioral vs. volumetric framing) and governance failures (structural vs. operational levels). These differences highlight a dual perception of environmental change shaped by stakeholder positionality.Conclusion: The results emphasize the need for integrated, multi-level governance approaches combining environmental education, stricter enforcement, and alternative livelihood strategies. By revealing how stakeholders differently frame shared problems, this study contributes to practical discussions on community-based conservation and provides context-specific insights that may inform similar coastal ecosystems.
Climate change is widely recognized to contribute to marine warming, acidification, and deoxygenation, while the frequency of harmful algal blooms (HABs) is increasing, causing severe ecological disruptions. Eutrophic regions are increasingly exposed to thermal extremes, hypoxic conditions, and low pH levels and may therefore serve as sensitive indicators of ecosystem responses to climate forcing. HAB occurrence reflects interactions among nutrient availability, temperature variability, and hydrodynamic conditions. Future work should aim to quantify the relative contributions of interacting environmental drivers to improve the robustness of predictive models of HAB dynamics under future climate scenarios. Climate change is likely to amplify HAB intensity and spatial distribution, although regional outcomes depend on interacting environmental drivers. These findings have implications for fisheries management, aquaculture sustainability, public health issues and long-term monitoring. Monitoring strategies should ideally prioritize ecosystem functional responses and early-warning indicators of climatic variability.
