Doing nothing is no solution: Coastal erosion management in Guardamar del Segura (Spain)

Abstract

Human activities like dam construction in rivers and urban development in coastal areas, combined with climate change, are degrading coastal systems. As a result, many European countries have implemented laws and strategies to protect their shorelines. This research focuses on Guardamar del Segura in Spain, where human actions in the Segura River basin and changes in wave patterns have significantly damaged the beach-dune system, with erosion rates reaching −0.71 m/year. If these rates and extreme climate events continue to rise, the shoreline will keep retreating, leading to the destruction of beachfront houses and parts of the dune surface by 2050. This will cause changes in land ownership and irreversible ecological damage to the natural ecosystem. The Spanish Public Administration's inaction on coastal protection is due to a lack of coordination between government levels, insufficient technical tools to combat erosion, and inadequate legal mechanisms to fund protective measures. In contrast, countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom have effective models in place. Potential solutions for Guardamar del Segura include beach and dune restoration or adding sand through revetments. Another option is a managed retreat of the most vulnerable buildings to avoid continuous repair and maintenance costs. Coastal erosion is a growing issue, and preserving our coastal ecosystems requires proactive measures, so doing nothing is no solution.