Conventional coastal warning systems issue alerts based on regional oceanographic thresholds calibrated for navigation safety, generating a recurrent disconnection between physical hazard and documented urban impact. This study addresses that disconnection on the coast of Maricá (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), a microtidal urban shoreline of reflective beaches exposed to South Atlantic swells. Hourly significant wave height (Hs) from the ERA5 reanalysis (2022–2025) was validated against the SiMCosta buoy CDRJ-1 (R = 0.90; RMSE = 0.32 m under extreme conditions) and cross-referenced with 645 documentary records of storm surge episodes, compiled from institutional sources (Brazilian Navy, Maricá Civil Defense), local news portals, and citizen-generated Instagram content, consolidating 113 distinct events. Forecast skill metrics (POD, FAR, CSI) revealed contrasting source profiles: institutional alerts operate with FAR between 5.0
Coastal environments are traditionally characterized by relaxation and wellness but are empirically short of therapeutic research on the health value in Ghana. The blue mind concept suggests that being near water is healthy and beneficial to well-being. This qualitative study investigates the psychological, physical, and social therapeutic benefits of coastal residents living in Akosua Village, Ghana, through the Blue Mind Theory, Biophilia Hypothesis, Social Capital Theory, Therapeutic Landscapes Theory and Ostrom’s Social-Ecological Systems (SES) Framework. By conducting in-depth interviews with 15 residents, the study reveals that proximity to the ocean decreases stress and anxiety significantly, improves mood, and improves cognitive functioning, which is in line with the Blue Mind Theory and the Biophilia Hypothesis. Habituation effects also decrease emotional benefits for long-term residents, suggesting variability in environmental sensitivity. The study further highlights the physical health advantages of living on the coast, including increased activity through swimming, fishing, and walking. Sleep quality in coastal settlements differs among participants; some residents report the ocean sounds restful, while others report a disturbance. Socially, the beach is a shared space, facilitating bonding through casual meetings and shared labor, following the Social Capital Theory. Moreover, traditional seawater treatments are also prevalent, with residents using them to heal illnesses like stomach disorders and skin conditions, justifying the Therapeutic Landscapes Theory. Despite these benefits, there is conflict between restorative leisure and economic output, with some residents viewing contemplative time as unnecessary and unproductive. The study recommends the integration of blue spaces into public health policy, promoting coastal therapy in mental health care, and further research on seawater treatments. Policy-makers have to balance communal beach access with managing sleeping environment noise sensitivity.
Small tidal estuaries located in urbanized areas are subject to multiple influences of processes in the catchment area, natural river and marine factors in the estuary area, as well as anthropogenic use, which leads to changes in natural hydrological, hydrodynamic, hydromorphological processes and pollution of water masses and bottom sediments. The small size of estuaries makes its own adjustments to these processes compared to the mouths of large rivers. The granulometric composition of bottom sediments, the content of organic matter, levels and factors of accumulation of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd) in the sediments of the estuaries of small mountain rivers Mackay Creek, Mosquito Creek, Lynn Creek and Seymour, located in the urbanized area of North Vancouver (British Columbia, Canada), were studied. It has been shown that among the many factors influencing the content of heavy metals in estuary sediments, the determining factor is the amount of organic matter present in the sediments. The composition of sediments, the conditions of sorting sediment-forming material and accumulation of heavy metals have a pronounced heterogeneity. The granulometric composition of mineral particles of sediments has a significant effect on the accumulation of heavy metals.
Accurate information on shallow water bathymetry and coral reef distribution is essential for coastal management in tropical marine environments. This study evaluates Sentinel-2 imagery for mapping bathymetry and coral reef features in Saleh Bay, Indonesia, using the Stumpf band ratio algorithm, the Lyzenga method, and datasets from the Allen Coral Atlas. Bathymetric estimates derived from Sentinel-2 imagery using the Stumpf algorithm were validated against reference depth data from the Indonesian National Bathymetry dataset (BATNAS), while reef related classes were compared with coral reef extent and geomorphic maps from the Allen Coral Atlas. The Stumpf based model showed strong agreement with BATNAS reference depth data, achieving an R² of 0.79 and an RMSE of 1.73 m. Depth estimates were obtained to approximately 27 m under the prevailing optical water conditions of the study area. The comparison of reef datasets reveals complementary spatial patterns. The Allen Coral Atlas delineates narrow reef zones along coastlines and island margins, whereas the Lyzenga based classification identifies broader shallow water areas and is more sensitive to local variations in benthic substrates. Results indicate that coral reef distribution in Saleh Bay is closely associated with shallow coastal environments, particularly at depths shallower than 10 m, including reef flats, island platforms, and upper reef slope zones. Integrating satellite derived bathymetry, geomorphic reef data, and benthic classification improves the interpretation of coral reef spatial patterns in tropical coastal waters. This approach supports marine spatial planning, habitat monitoring, and coral reef conservation in data limited regions.
Coastal urbanization and tourism are rapidly expanding, intensifying pressures on sea turtles and the habitats they depend on. Although numerous studies document anthropogenic threats, the indicators used to quantify the specific impacts of these two drivers remain fragmented and inconsistent. This systematic review synthesizes global evidence on how tourism and urban development affect sea turtles across life stages and identifies the indicators employed to assess these effects. Following PRISMA guidelines, 5,886 publications from 1960 to 2025 were screened, and 45 met all eligibility criteria. Most studies were conducted in Mexico, Brazil, and the United States, with a strong focus on green and loggerhead turtles, especially on nesting beaches. Urban development assessments commonly used standardized spatial, chemical, and physiological indicators such as light pollution, microplastics, heavy metals, and habitat alteration facilitating alignment with global monitoring frameworks. In contrast, tourism studies relied mainly on behavioral indicators, including nest abandonment, altered movement patterns, and vessel-related disturbances, which are less comparable across regions. Overall, the findings reveal limited methodological cohesion and highlight the need for harmonized, operational indicators that integrate ecological, technological, and socio-environmental dimensions. Strengthening these frameworks is essential to support global monitoring efforts and improve conservation strategies for sea turtles in increasingly modified coastal systems.
Small volcanic islands face heightened disaster risks due to limited land area, dense coastal settlements, and restricted evacuation options. This study examines the September 1980 eruption of Mount Gamalama on Ternate Island, eastern Indonesia, to analyse evacuation dynamics, community responses, and crisis management in a small-island context with limited institutional capacity. A mixed-methods approach was applied, combining archival eruption records, semi-structured interviews with eyewitnesses of the 1980 eruption, and a questionnaire-based survey of currently exposed communities to assess contemporary risk perception, evacuation behaviour, and the persistence of disaster memory. The eruption produced widespread ashfall reaching up to 15 cm across the island and triggered the evacuation of more than 50,000 residents to neighbouring islands, particularly Tidore, Halmahera, and Hiri. Despite the eruption’s severity and prolonged duration, no fatalities were recorded. The findings show that social capital, kinship networks, trusted local leadership, and inter-island mobility strongly influenced evacuation effectiveness, compensating for the absence of advanced monitoring systems and limited infrastructure. Cultural expressions and shared disaster memory further reinforced social cohesion and adaptive behaviour across generations. The Gamalama case demonstrates that disaster risk on small volcanic islands is shaped by the interaction between physical hazards and socially embedded response mechanisms. These findings highlight the importance of community-led evacuation, informal coordination, and intergenerational disaster memory in strengthening resilience in coastal and island environments under Anthropocene conditions.
Microplastic contamination in marine ecosystems has emerged as a growing environmental concern, yet information on commercially important fish species from the Bay of Bengal remains limited. This study investigated the occurrence, abundance, and characteristics of microplastics in the gill and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) tissues of eight widely consumed marine fish species collected from the Cox’s Bazar coast of Bangladesh. A total of 40 specimens were analyzed using alkaline digestion, microscopic identification, and polymer characterization via ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Microplastics were detected in 77.5
The Bakkhali–Fraserganj coast, in the low-lying deltaic setting of southern West Bengal, is experiencing transformative change under the compound pressures of tourism development, climate variability, and sea-level rise. This research brings together high-resolution sedimentological analysis covering granulometric analysis, C–M based transport assessment, and multivariate zoning with an evaluation of governance issues under India's Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) regime. Field and laboratory data indicate unambiguous sediment regimes in four zones, with tourism-intensive areas (Zones A and C) exhibiting relatavily poorer sorting (σ₁ ≈ 0.68 ϕ), and negative skewness, indicating sediment compaction, dune degradation, and disturbed aeolian corridors. Relatively pristine areas (Zones B and D) have well-sorted sands and intact sediment pathways. High-resolution satellite imagery (2005–2023) indicates escalating incursion of hotels and hard infrastructure into CRZ-I dune swaths, and exceeding carrying capacity (> 2,260 tourists/day) and vehicular penetration onto backshore surfaces. These observations underscore a governance disconnect among legal safeguards under the West Bengal Coastal Zone Management Plan and actual enforcement. Converting the sediment record into management prescriptions, we recommend zone-by-zone interventions such as strict CRZ regulation, tourist quotas, infrastructure setback lines, and dune protection measures. By establishing a direct relationship between physical coastal processes and institutions, this study provides a framework for balancing tourism growth and sedimentary resilience in the Global South, congruent with the goals of integrated coastal zone management and climate adaptation initiatives.
Spartina alterniflora, one of the most widespread invasive salt-marsh plants globally, has profoundly altered the structure and functioning of coastal wetlands through its influences on sediment dynamics, biodiversity, biogeochemical cycling, and ecosystem resilience. However, the ecological consequences and management implications of its invasion remain highly controversial because its impacts vary substantially across wetland types, climatic regions, and invasion stages. To clarify the development and emerging directions of S. alterniflora research, this study provides a systematic review of S. alterniflora research, highlighting advances, challenges, and prospects in this field. Bibliometric and quantitative methods assessed research trends, while synthesized ecological findings highlight S. alterniflora’s impacts, such as increased soil carbon sequestration and biodiversity shifts. Literature spanning 1929–2026 from the Web of Science database and Chinese-funded projects recorded in the Fun Research database (1987–2026) formed the basis of the analysis. Bibliometric analysis, keyword co-occurrence clustering, and multiple correspondence analysis were applied to examine knowledge structure, thematic evolution, and research trends. The results demonstrate that S. alterniflora research has evolved from early studies focusing on plant growth, invasion ecology, and salt-marsh dynamics toward increasingly interdisciplinary investigations emphasizing blue carbon, climate change interactions, ecosystem resilience, and adaptive management. Three major thematic domains were identified: invasion ecology and biodiversity responses, biogeochemical cycling and blue carbon processes, and climate-related vulnerability and adaptation research. The ecological impacts of S. alterniflora were found to be strongly context-dependent across salt marshes, mangrove ecosystems, and tidal flats, generating both ecosystem benefits, such as shoreline stabilization and sediment accretion, and ecological risks including biodiversity loss, habitat homogenization, and altered trophic interactions. This review further highlights substantial uncertainties in evaluating the net climatic effects of S. alterniflora invasion due to spatial heterogeneity, greenhouse gas offsets, microbial feedbacks, and limitations in current blue carbon accounting frameworks. Recent advances in remote sensing, unmanned aerial vehicles, machine learning, and molecular ecology are rapidly improving the capacity to monitor invasion dynamics and assess ecosystem responses across multiple spatial and temporal scales. This study emphasizes that S. alterniflora should not be viewed solely as either a harmful invasive species or a beneficial ecosystem engineer, but rather as a complex ecological driver embedded within coupled coastal socio-ecological systems in the Anthropocene. Future research and management should therefore adopt integrated, context-dependent, and adaptive frameworks that simultaneously consider biodiversity conservation, climate mitigation, coastal resilience, and long-term ecosystem sustainability.
Commodity-based land use change is a major contributor to the worldwide loss and degradation of mangrove forests. There are, however, few studies exploring the local context of mangrove loss and degradation. This is problematic since land-use change does not uniformly degrade mangroves; these impacts on social-ecological systems (SES) are contextual. For mangrove systems, this means that conservation efforts require mangrove ecological knowledge (MEK) to understand the effects of forest loss, as well as, other drivers of change on local livelihoods. This paper aims to examine the local context of mangrove forest loss by studying mangroves and their use in Batan, Philippines. The study includes two different research methods. First, mangrove vegetation was recorded in mangrove forests. Second, perceptions of local users of coastal change, desired coastal resource management, and the local use of mangrove resources were investigated in 107 household surveys across five neighbouring study sites. The vegetation survey listed a total of 12 tree species, including one endangered mangrove species Camptostemon philippinensis, and another mangrove species Nypa fruticans, which is an important material resource. Local people perceived several changes leading to the degradation of the estuary. Regarding management solutions, the interviewees advocated increased mangrove reforestation efforts, more frequent coastal waste cleanups, and coastal zoning for fisheries. Based on the findings, we conclude that even degraded mangrove ecosystems remain important for biodiversity and local livelihoods and should therefore be conserved.
Land use and land cover change (LUCC) has a significant impact on ecosystem stability and carbon storage capacity. However, the specific roles of different land types are still not well understood. This study examined the spatial and temporal patterns of land use changes and their effects on carbon storage in China’s rapidly urbanizing coastal regions from 1980 to 2050, including various future scenarios. The findings showed that over a 40-year period, complex land use changes led to a total loss of carbon storage equivalent to 1.22 × 108 t. Among all land types, built-up land and farmland experienced the most dynamic changes. Built-up land expanded by 59,192 km2, while farmland decreased by 46,653 km2. Farmland emerged as a key driver of land use change, with the conversion between farmland and built-up land accounting for 79.29
Fjordlands dominate Southern Chile, where deltaic river mouths are commonly found. In Comau Fjord, Northern Patagonia, we identified several previously undocumented alluvial fan-deltas within the meso-tidal estuaries. As these environments are highly sensitive to climate change, our primary objective was better describe and classify the alluvial fan-deltas in this region, focusing specifically on the Huinay River mouth. We analyzed this system using multi-decadal orbital and aerial imagery, along with daily and monthly tidal variations records, and multi-year fieldwork campaigns. Geomorphological mapping under varying tidal conditions was employed to characterize both the subaerial and subaqueous features of the fan-delta. Field surveys revealed significant alluvial activity, evidenced by active deltaic lobes with braided patterns, high sediment loads, and smaller-scale features, such as bars and channels, composed of fluvial gravels reworked by marine processes. Our results indicate that tidal currents are the primary driver of morphological reworking at the Huinay River mouth. Furthermore, we observed that glacial and snow-pluvial valley basins draining into the fjord typically develop confined fan-deltas, whereas adjacent non-glacial basins exhibit unconfined systems at their mouths. Based on these findings, we propose a new classification for the delta at the Huinay River mouth: ‘Tidally Modified Alluvial Fan-Delta.’ Further research on these dynamic landforms is needed, particularly given the ongoing environmental changes, including shifts in precipitation, sea-level rise, increasing temperatures, and direct anthropogenic landscape modifications, such as the planned extension of the "Carretera Austral" highway construction through the Comau Fjord.
Understanding the variability of Total Suspended Sediment (TSS) is essential for managing sediment-related pollution in estuarine and coastal environments. This study aimed to analyze the spatial and temporal variability of TSS along the Banda Aceh coast, Indonesia, and its extended impacts on the surrounding environment using an integrated approach that combines satellite remote sensing, hydrodynamic modeling, and multivariate statistical analysis. Satellite-derived TSS concentrations were estimated from Sentinel 2A imagery using empirical algorithms, with the green/blue band ratio (B3/B2) performing best (R2 = 0.47, RMSE = 21.73 mg/L) against in-situ observations. Hydrodynamic simulations conducted using MIKE 21 revealed marked spatial and temporal variability in TSS distribution driven by tidal conditions and estuarine morphology. During spring tides, stronger currents (up to 0.45 m/s) facilitated widespread TSS dispersal offshore, with concentrations exceeding 250 mg/L in Ulee Lheue and Alue Naga Estuary. In contrast, neap tides resulted in slower current speeds (< 0.20 m/s) and higher TSS retention near the river mouths. The Krueng Aceh Estuary exhibited more stable and lower TSS concentrations (< 181 mg/L) because of its open configuration and reduced sediment trapping. Principal Component Analysis showed that the TSS was positively correlated with turbidity and chlorophyll-a, underscoring its role in controlling water clarity and nutrient dynamics. These findings demonstrate the dominant influence of tidal dynamics, anthropogenic contributions, and riverine discharge on the coastal water quality. The combined remote sensing–modeling framework offers a scalable approach for sediment monitoring and management in other vulnerable, urbanizing coastal systems.
The coastal area of Pemalang Regency, Indonesia, faces escalating multi-hazard threats exacerbated by climate change, yet it remains an under-prioritized region for disaster management. This study analyzes the coastal characteristics of Pemalang and assesses multi-hazard levels using the Coastal Hazard Wheel (CHW) approach, evaluating parameters such as geological layout, wave exposure, tidal range, flora, sediment balance, and storm climate. Results reveal a heterogeneous landscape experiencing chronic geomorphological degradation. The coastal area is characterized by protected wave exposure and microtidal dynamics; however, driven by widespread volumetric sediment deficits, 73
Climate change has intensified hydrological extremes in many deltaic coastal zones, amplifying both flood hazards and agricultural non-point source (NPS) pollution. The newly reclaimed deltaic farmland in coastal Shanghai represents a typical climate-sensitive agroecosystem where irrigation and rainfall jointly drive nutrient losses. This study employs a high-frequency, flow-triggered hydrological and water-quality monitoring system capable of distinguishing irrigation-driven versus rainfall-driven runoff to evaluate the performance of a constructed ditch–pond system (DPS). It provides the first field-based assessment of DPS functioning in such reclaimed coastal farmland, where irrigation dominates early-stage nutrient export. By integrating water-level, Doppler flow, and event-scale nutrient measurements, we further examine DPS regulation of flood peaks and nutrient retention. The results indicate that: (1) Irrigation-driven runoff accounted for more than 80
The River Don Delta (RDB) and the adjacent estuary and land areas have significant ecological and economic value. RDB is the most eastern in the Mediterranean – Black Sea (MBS) basin delta, and it has similar problems with many other MBS deltas. So, the delta became sediment-starved due to the construction of dams upstream. Additionally, the geomorphological stability of RDB is threatened by regional climate changes over the sea and land, which became especially apparent starting from 1980th. In this study, we reconstructed suspended sediment budgets in different parts of the delta and the adjacent estuary and land areas in the period from 1944 to 2020 and analyzed the changes in the delta channel’s width and at the sea border starting from 1980th. We used the modelling framework, consisting of the modified hydrodynamic model HEC RAS and the large-scale sediment budget model, as well as satellite image analysis. We estimated suspended sediment balance in the front-delta, the delta channels, and the delta platform and at the adjacent land area for the three periods 1944–1973, 1974–1981, and 1982–2020, which are related to the construction of large dams in the River Don Basin. The sediment accumulation rates were similar to those of other MBS deltas. Suspended sediment budget dropped three times for the entire case study area from 1944–1973 to 1982–2020. At the same time, the percentage of accumulated sedimentation to the fluvial sediment delivery increased almost five times from the first to the third period. This proves that sea factors, seiches and storm surges, play a stabilizing role for the River Don Delta by increase in suspended sediment budget during the hydrological interaction of sea and river waters. Observed total annual channel width within the delta changes in line with sedimentation accumulation patterns in the delta channels for the period of environmental changes that started in 1980th. The delta’s sea border stabilizes in the period 1982–2020 due to the influence of the sea factors, seiches, and increased storm surges upon sedimentation patterns. Our findings allow us to conclude that engineering regulation of sedimentation is not necessary now in the River Don Delta.
Microplastic in the coastal environment is a massive global problem that has only recently been identified, even though widespread plastic usage and subsequent disposal in the environment have occurred since 1950 CE. Unfortunately, the vast majority of studies on microplastic focus on surficial sediments rather than investigating microplastic concentrations in three dimensions. We remedy the paucity of studies on this understudied topic by examining two sediment cores from the southern and northern coasts of Puerto Rico. The Guayama study site is a protected lagoon in a rural, arid region, whereas the Levittown site is an unprotected tidal lagoon in an urban/suburban area. Despite their differences, both sites contained microplastic in quantifiable amounts, though relatively low compared to other global sites. Compared with Levittown, Guayama contained a lower total amount (48 vs 72), a lower concentration (79 MP/kg vs 116 MP/kg), and less variety of morphotypes (1 vs 4). Radiometric dating on both cores confirmed an increase in microplastic deposition in recent sediments. Only the Guayama site contained sediment that was deposited prior to 1950 CE, and microplastic was found below this sediment horizon, suggesting post-depositional transport likely via bioturbation. Additionally, hurricane event layers were identified using sedimentary and geochemical data (particularly terrestrial signals) which corresponded with increased microplastic concentration, suggesting that hurricane-induced terrestrial flooding is likely responsible for the transport and deposition of high quantities of microplastic into the coastal region. This study is the first to investigate sedimentary microplastic in three dimensions in Puerto Rico, providing information on multiple novel aspects of microplastic transport and deposition in coastal sediments.
Adaptation to Climate Change (CC) impacts, Sea Level Rise (SLR) in particular, necessitates the application of Ecosystem Management Tools such as environmental risk assessments, impact assessments and impact management tools, that directly operate in a cause-consequence-response framework and suggest actions at various levels. In this contribution, an effort to support SLR adaptation planning in response to CC impacts on coastal tourism is made, through the integration of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) assessment framework and the DAPSI(W)R(M) framework, as well as the practical integration of the Impact Chain (IC) Tool and Bow-Tie Analysis. The proposed approach uses the Bow-Tie Analysis as a policy tool to fine-tune adaptation management plans in order to address the CC impacts on the coastal tourism sector, as they have been identified by the prior application of IC Tool, following IPCC AR6. The integration of the two approaches forms a framework able to support a concrete schema to address SLR induced beach retreat. The Bow-Tie analysis acts complementarily to the IC tool to structure potential mitigation and adaptation actions addressing the raised issues and respond to CC. The interrelation of the two frameworks enables climatic risk assessment and allows the identification of appropriate management measures addressing the specific components and facilitating the effective preparation for the forthcoming climatic conditions.
Coral reef degradation in the Spermonde Archipelago has reached alarming levels, driven by natural and anthropogenic factors. This study integrated quantitative (community perception surveys, ecological monitoring using Line Intercept Transect (LIT), Underwater Photo Transect (UPT), and drone methods) and qualitative (Focus Group Discussion - FGD) approaches to analyze coral reef conditions and design a community-based mitigation model. The results showed that: (1) There is a gradient in coral reef damage closely related to water quality, with Lae-Lae Island (turbid waters) dominated by dead coral and coral debris, while Lanyukang Island (clear waters) maintains significant live coral cover; (2) Community awareness of degradation is high (58
An ecosystem-based approach in spatial planning can provide valuable insight for assessing the benefits obtained from various space zoning. Spatial planning in coastal areas needs to be carried out comprehensively by understanding the impacts of human activities on coastal habitats. This study examined the risks posed to mangrove habitats in the Indramayu coastal area, West Java Province, Indonesia by stressors stemming from aquaculture, agriculture, and settlements. We employed the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST), Habitat Risk Assessment model to assess locations where mangrove habitats are at high risk and to identify the contributing stressors. We analyzed the current distribution of habitats and coastal activities and developed three scenarios for zoning these activities in the future. The results showed that habitat risk values varied across the five sub-districts in Indramayu. The analysis indicates that high-risk levels are most associated with low mangrove densities, with aquaculture identified as the primary stressor impacting high-risk levels. Intensive intervention is required to address aquaculture stressors, while low-intensity intervention is sufficient for agriculture and settlement stressors. Based on scenario analysis, the inclusion of potential mangrove areas in both scenarios demonstrated an apparent reduction in the habitat's risk levels to stressors compared to the baseline. These results expand our knowledge to understand how the stressors impact the mangrove habitat under current and future management scenarios. Furthermore, the study provides insight for coastal planners to plan development activities that will minimize pressure on mangrove habitats.
