Not all that glitters is gold: Can the real scenic value of the Colombian Caribbean coast be restored?

Abstract

Currently, coastal erosion, extreme urbanization, woody debris, litter, sewage, noise, and beach driving are severely affecting the scenic value of the Caribbean Coast of Colombia. To determine the current state of this situation and give management inputs, this paper provides the scenic assessment of 300 coastal sites using the Coastal Scenery Evaluation System (CSES). The CSES assesses values from a checklist of 18 physical and 8 human parameters and allows calculation of a scenic evaluation index (D Value), which classifies coastal sites into five classes: Class I, usually natural areas of top scenic characteristics, to Class V, poor scenic natural areas with a higher impact of human interventions. Along the study area, 52 coastal sites (17.3%) appeared in Class I; 40 (13.3%) in Class II; 56 (18.7%) in Class III; 55 (18.3%) in Class IV, and 97 sites (32.3%) in Class V. This evaluation provides a complete assessment overview of the Caribbean Colombia coastal scenery and serves as baseline for implementation of management strategies. This management must be based on scientific knowledge and should address not only human use values, but also the maintenance and preservation of the environmental quality of the coast.