Island Beach Research Articles

Floral Diversity Status in Urban Coastal Wetland & Associated Coastal Ecosystems of Crow Island Mattakkuliya, Sri Lanka

Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka and the only wetland city in South Asia under the Ramsar Convention. Crow Island Beach Park and associated coastal area belong to the Colombo urban coastal wetland ecosystems. Crow Island wetland contributes diverse habitats for numerous flora and fauna species. The present study was conducted to assess the status of floral diversity in the Crow Island Beach Park and associated coastal ecosystem during the months of August to October 2021. Study area is divided in to three sites (A, B, C). Line transects method and field observations were used in the study. This coastal wetland consists of mosaic of five major vegetation types: Herbaceous, tree, shrub, creeper, grass and other than that marine algae namely Chaetomorpha antennina, Rhizoclonium africanum, Ulva compressa belonging to chlorophyta (green algae) and Grateloupia lithophila belonging to rhodophyta (red algae) were found in the study area. A total number of 102 flora species belonging to 50 families were recorded from the study area. There were two true mangrove species and 16 mangrove associated species in the study sites. Out of the 102 plant species 46 were recognized and documented as plants with medicinal values. Shannon-Wiener diversity indexes for mangrove and mangrove associated species were recorded as 2.378, 2.304 and 1.676 in site A, B and C respectively. Simpson’s diversity index for mangrove and mangrove associated species was recorded as 0.889, 0.874 and 0.735 respectively in site A, B and C and Jaccard index of similarity between three study sites showed high values ranging from 41% to 69% for mangrove and mangrove associated species.

Complete Genome Sequences of Two Novel Species from the Pseudonocardiaceae Family Isolated from the Persian Gulf.

ABSTRACTAmycolatopsis sp. strain DSM 110486 and Pseudonocardia sp. strain DSM 110487 are two novel actinomycete species that were isolated from Hengam Island beach sand from the Persian Gulf. Here, we present the complete genome sequences of DSM 110486 and DSM 110487, with sizes of 10.98 Mbp and 10.33 Mbp, respectively.

COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT BASED ECOTOURISM VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY IN THE NEW NORMAL ERA IN SABANG REGENCY

This study aims to determine the resources that have the potential to be developed into ecotourism in the coastal area of Sabang Regency, to determine the physical and social carrying capacity of the coastal area of Sabang to tourism activities, to formulate a model of ecotourism development based on Community Empowerment that is appropriate for managing the coastal area of Weh Island. Qualitative descriptive methods were used in determining the physical carrying capacity, surveys of community perceptions with respondents of local resident Sabang and surveys of visitor satisfaction to obtain information and analyze tourism potential in the City of Sabang and feasibility for ecotourism development. The results obtained from natural resources of marine tourism have the potential to be developed into ecotourism in the coastal area of the city of Sabang, especially in Iboh Beach, Rubiah Island, and Sumur Tiga Beach. The physical and social support capacity of the coastal area of Sabang for tourism activities is very good, so it deserves to be a national and international mainstay tourism with the concept of empowering the existing community by continuing to promote, improve and add tourism supporting infrastructure, and add national and international events in Sabang.

Fishers' Ecological Knowledge About Sea Turtles in Coastal Waters: A Case Study in Vengurla, India

Five species of sea turtle—the green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), and olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea)—feed in the coastal waters of India, nest on the mainland and island beaches, and are an important component of India's natural and sociocultural heritage. Sea turtles spend most of their life cycle at sea, so structured studies of the biology of nonnesting populations are challenging. However, fishers' ecological knowledge (FEK) could indicate sea turtle distribution, abundance, and population trends. Structured interviews with 93 male fishers at Sagareshwar Beach, Vengurla, in the Sindhudurg District of Maharashtra revealed observations of all 5 sea turtle species in local waters. Importantly, this was the first known record of loggerhead turtles for the Sindhudurg District of the state coastline and added to infrequent records of leatherback turtles over the previous 20 yrs. Observations were more common at a time when adult turtles are likely to be courting and mating, although this behavior was not observed. Fishers did not contribute ecological knowledge about sea turtle distribution from the waters they fished, potentially because of the method used to collect information on maps or reluctance to indicate areas fished. Estimates of abundance were widely disparate, but perceived decreases in the size of local populations were common among respondents. Outcomes of our study suggest that the FEK of small-scale coastal fishers operating in even a small area is of value in identifying potential areas for focused investigations on in-water populations of sea turtles.

Hand dredging for the wedge clam (Donax trunculus) in the Algarve coast (southern Portugal): fishing yield, bycatch, discards and damage rates

ABSTRACT This study aimed to characterize the catches, quantify fishing yield, bycatch and discards, and also estimate damage and mortality rates using hand dredges with two different mesh sizes (20 and 25 mm) for harvesting the wedge clam (Donax trunculus). A total of 160 tows were performed in Lota Beach and Armona Island in the Algarve coast (southern Portugal). Overall, were caught 12,319 individuals (3985 in Lota Beach and 8334 in Armona Island) belonging to 48 taxa distributed among seven phyla (14 taxa in Lota Beach and 44 taxa in Armona Island). Bycatch proportions ranged from 13.1% to 32.0% in abundance and from 10.7% to 32.9% in biomass, with more bycatch using hand dredges with 20 mm mesh size. Commercially undersized D. trunculus (MCRS = 25 mm SL) prevailed within the bycatch, representing over 40% of discards using both mesh sizes. Due to different size selectivity, the target catch (CPUE) and bycatch per unit effort (BCPUE) in abundance and biomass, as well as fishing yield as a function of tow duration and towed area, were lower for hand dredges with 25 mm mesh than with 20 mm mesh. In general, damage and mortality rates were fairly low (1.3–2.6%) independently of mesh size, reinforcing the importance of releasing live bycatch to the sea immediately after sorting the catches. Overall, this study prompted the need to develop a good practice guide for hand dredgers, aiming to mitigate avoidable indirect discards mortality and improve the sustainability of this traditional harvesting activity.

DOONIES: A process-based ecogeomorphological functional community model for coastal dune vegetation and landscape dynamics

In ecogeomorphic systems, such as beach-dune habitats, complex couplings exist between geomorphology and ecology. Abiotic conditions influence vegetation growth and distribution while vegetation imposes a geomorphic feedback, impacting topography. Communities affect storm response by impacting pre-storm state, post-storm recovery, and landscape evolution. Despite their importance, beach-dune and other ecogeomorphic land-sea systems are deteriorating with increased anthropogenic modification and amplified natural disaster impact linked to climate change. A structured approach is needed to develop a more comprehensive understanding of coastal vegetation community interactions with the environment as these interactions underpin topographic change, strom response, and restoration and management efforts. Toward this goal, a spatially explicit process-based grid model, the DOONIES Model, encompassing biological, physiological, and geomorphological drivers of landscape change is presented. DOONIES simulates critical biotic and abiotic processes of vegetation growth, abundance, and spatial distribution dynamics impacting topography and storm response. Biological processes and ecogeomorphic responses are tailored to generalizable dune functional-communities with species-specific representatives. Estimates of the balance between photosynthesis and respiration dictate plant growth and morphology spatiotemporally which in turn impact sediment erosion and deposition. Relative sensitivity analyses indicate that the model is fundamentally driven by the photosynthesis formulation, where parameters such as maximum daily photosynthesis (grams of carbohydrate per day) and light intensity impact vegetation growth. These in turn, indirectly impact topographic change in modeled ecogeomorphic links. DOONIES is standalone and with a biological focus making it unique compared to more physical morphodynamic and hydrodynamic models with which this model is designed to couple. The model was evaluated by comparing simulation topography to actual across 6 years at Island Beach State Park, NJ while modeling Hurricane Sandy and daily wind conditions driving sediment input and output events. The predicted results were within the measurement error for the elevation datasets that the simulations were based on. This new model affords dynamic predictions of the response of naturally occurring and planted dune vegetation communities to typical abiotic conditions, as a tool for supporting and exploring restoration decisions.

A short study of the foraging behaviour and food resources of migrant waders on an Orkney Island beach

A short study of the foraging behaviour and food resources of migrant waders on an Orkney Island beach

Komunikasi Pemasaran Wisata Halal Di Banyuwangi dan Gunungkidul

The concept of Halal Tourism began to be adopted in Indonesia in 2014 and is getting stronger in Indonesia following the 2016 World Halal Tourism Award in Dubai. Several regions or districts responded to this by opening halal tourism, including Banyuwangi Regency and Gunungkidul Regency. Banyuwangi Regency launched tourist area branded as ‘the first sharia beach tourism in Indonesia’, namely Santen Island Beach. Meanwhile, Gunungkidul Regency is on Torohudan Beach. The research method used is a case study. The discussion includes marketing strategy and marketing communication mix, showing the implementation of halal tourism management on Santen Island Beach was successful at the beginning with very strong branding evidence, marketing communication practices have maximized marketing strategy and communication mix. At Torohudan Beach, the community prefers the principle of ‘Muslim friendly tourism’, and in its implementation it needs support from the local government. Keywords: branding, Halal Tourism, muslim friendly tourism, sharia beach tourism

IDENTIFICATION AND PREDICTION OF COASTLINE CHANGES IN BANYUWANGI REGENCY DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE USING GRASS QGIS

<p>Banyuwangi Regency has a coastline of 175.8 kilometers, stretching from Meru Betiri National Park to Baluran National Park. Coastline changes occur due to human activities, abrasion and sedimentation due to climate change and global warming. Research to identify and predict changes in the coastline of Banyuwangi Regency due to climate change using GRASS QGIS in 2025. The results of predictions of shoreline changes in Banyuwangi Regency are located in Pang Pang Bay, Muncar District and Tegaldelimo District. In Banyuwangi Sub-district on Cacalan Beach, Cemara Beach and Marina Boom Beach, and on the southern coast of Banyuwangi in Purwoharjo District, namely Grajagan Beach, and in Pesanggaran District on Red Island Beach. Recommendations for mitigating shoreline changes with sandy and swampy beach types in addition to the application of ecotourism principles are also the implementation of wind barriers, mangrove rehabilitation, seawall construction, or TetraPOT. Vegetative and mechanical conservation efforts are a strong combination in natural and artificial defense from marine abrasion attacks.</p>

A test of the use of gray wolf (Canis lupus) urine to reduce coyote (Canis latrans) depredation rates on loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) nests

Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) are currently listed as vulnerable, with a decreasing population trend, by the International Union of Conservation of Nature. From 2015 to 2019, coyotes (Canis latrans) depredated 24.12% of loggerhead nests on the night they were laid on South Island beach at the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, near Georgetown, SC, resulting in an estimated 3816 eggs lost each year. Over that time, a South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Turtle Technician Team patrolled the beach at dawn every morning to cage and catalog loggerhead nests and eggs but were unable to cost-effectively protect the nests the night the eggs were laid. To test a new method to dissuade coyote depredation, we used dispensers filled with gray wolf (Canis lupus) urine to simulate wolf activity on seven sections of the beach and left seven sections untreated as controls. We observed a significant reduction in depredation rates where urine was present relative to control areas (G-test adjusted with the Williams correction, G = 5.749, df = 1, p = 0.0165). The results suggest this may be an example of exploitative competition in the absence of interference competition. With daily teams already patrolling the beaches, using wolf urine as a deterrent could be an inexpensive, non-invasive way to reduce coyote depredation on loggerhead and other sea turtle nests elsewhere.

Assessment of and Adaptation to Beach Erosion in Islands: An Integrated Approach

Island beaches, which form significant natural and economic resources, are under increasing erosion risk due to sea level rise. The present contribution proposes an integrated methodological framework for the evaluation of the socio-economic significance of beaches and their vulnerability to sea level rise and the design of effective adaptation measures. The approach comprises four steps: (i) beach ranking on the basis of their socio-economic significance and vulnerability in order to prioritize adaptation responses; (ii) monitoring of the hydro- and morphodynamic regime of the most highly ranking beaches using field observations and modelling, (iii) assessment of the sediment volumes required for beach nourishment under different scenarios of sea level rise and nourishment designs; (iv) evaluation of the marine aggregate potential of the adjacent areas that can be used for beach nourishment. The framework was applied to the Greek island of Chios, which has many beaches that are already under erosion. The methodology was shown to provide a structured approach for the assessment and response to erosion of the most vulnerable beach.

New opportunities for conservation of a rare tiger beetle on developed barrier island beaches

New opportunities for conservation of a rare tiger beetle on developed barrier island beaches

Challenges and Prospects of Sustainable Development of Ecotourism and Handicrafts in Red Sea

Ecotourism is a form of tourism involving responsible travel to natural areas, conserving the environment, and improving the well-being of the local people, its purpose may be to educate the traveler, to provide funds for ecological conservation, to directly benefit the economic development and political empowerment of local communities, or to foster respect for different cultures. Red Sea area considers one of the richest district in Egypt, contains natural tourist components such and ancient quarries and archaeological mines in Wadi Hammamet and Qusier.As well as Marine Sports, Beach tourism, Medical Tourism, Recreational tourism, Historical Tourism, Religious tourism, Safari tourism and adventures in addition to; nature reserves and beach islands such as; the Jiftun and the Shdawan Islands, area of the Abu Manqar islands rich in mangroves, the area of Dasha al-Dabaa, Safaga Island, Utopia Island, Umm al-Jorasan Island, Al-Zubarjid Island. Red Sea is Known for a very rich tradition of craftsmanship; there are various and different traditional handicrafts such as; leather products, Palm Industries, traditional folklore jewelery industries of silver, Wood Industries, household decorations, Kilim industry, manual industries of plants and natural rocks in the areas of; Halaib and Shalatin, Marsa Alam , Hamada, Abu Ghusoon and Ras Banas, Qusair and Safaga . This paper is discuss the challenges and obstacles facing the exploitation of the natural and human components to develop and develop eco-tourism in the Red Sea region, which helps to increase the national income and support sustainable development in the region. but the development of handicrafts has encountered many problems including the lack of a specific market with adequate stores, lack of managers who deal with message delivery collection of products, and inability to find new markets at home and abroad. Development of handicrafts in the Red Sea area and their reality and perspectives are reflected in the present study. The results revealed that although artisans in the Red Sea area try hard to develop handicrafts but it needs a great support to move forward and compete with other countries..

Composition and provenance analysis of beach sands in an almost isolated sedimentary system – A field study of the Galápagos Archipelago

The Galápagos Archipelago is the surface expression of an active hotspot or long-lived mantle plume. The Archipelago consists of a group of 13 main islands which are located in the eastern central Pacific Ocean about 1,000 km west of the northern edge of the South American continent, east of the East Pacific Rise and south of the Galápagos spreading center. Because of the large distance to the nearest continental land mass, Galapagos can be seen as an almost isolated sedimentary system. A provenance study conducted on samples collected from seventeen beaches on eleven islands, demonstrates that mineral grains and particles were derived from weathering of predominantly basaltic rocks and were transported within the islands, between the islands or inside the coastal area around the Archipelago. The exclusion of external sources allows advanced studies about erosion processes, transport pathways of particles and the accumulation of autochthonous sediments. The combined usage of optical particle size and shape analysis with RAMAN spectroscopy allows a successful spatial delimitation of host rocks and a reconstruction of transport pathways. The analyzed samples can be subdivided into three groups: 1) Type-A sediments: fine-grained and sampled on beaches of the oldest islands in the eastern part of Galápagos. The composition of volcanic minerals corresponds to the alkaline character of the basaltic source rocks. 2) Type-B: well sorted sediments characterized by medium-grained olivine, pyroxene, plagioclase and even a small amount of quartz grains. The islands of this group are located in the central region of the Archipelago. 3) Type-C samples: olivine and pyroxene are the predominant volcanic minerals. These samples indicate bimodal, coarse-grained size distributions and large proportions of pumice and are found in Floreana in the south and the youngest islands Isabela and Fernandina in the west of Galápagos.

Molluscan aminostratigraphy of the US Mid-Atlantic Quaternary coastal system: Implications for onshore-offshore correlation, paleochannel and barrier island evolution, and local late Quaternary sea-level history

The Quaternary record of the US Mid-Atlantic coastal system includes onshore emergent late Pleistocene shoreline deposits, offshore inner shelf and barrier island units, and paleovalleys formed during multiple glacial stage sea-level lowstands. The geochronology of this coastal system is based on uranium series, radiocarbon, amino acid racemization (AAR), and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) methods. We report over 600 mollusk AAR results from 93 sites between northeastern North Carolina and the central New Jersey shelf, representing samples from both onshore cores or outcrops, sub-barrier and offshore cores, and transported shells from barrier island beaches. AAR age estimates are constrained by paired 14C analyses on specific shells and associated U-series coral ages from onshore sites. AAR data from offshore cores are interpreted in the context of detailed seismic stratigraphy. The distribution of Pleistocene-age shells on the island beaches is linked to the distribution of inner shelf or sub-barrier source units. Age mixing over a range of time-scales (~1 ka to ~100 ka) is identified by AAR results from onshore, beach, and shelf collections, often contributing insights into the processes forming individual barrier islands. The regional aminostratigraphic framework identifies a widespread late Pleistocene (Marine Isotope Stage 5) aminozone, with isolated records of middle and early Pleistocene deposition. AAR results provide age estimates for the timing of formation of the three major paleochannels that underlie the Delmarva Peninsula: Persimmon Point paleochannel ≥800 ka; Exmore paleochannel ~400–500 ka (MIS 12); and Eastville paleochannel > 125 ka (MIS 6). The results demonstrate the value of synthesizing abundant AAR chronologic data across various coastal environments, integrating multiple distinct geologic studies. The ages and elevations of the Quaternary units are important for current hypotheses about relative sea-level history and crustal dynamics in the region, which was likely influenced by the Laurentide ice sheet, the margin just ~400 km to the north.

Prospects of Parasailing Activities in Bangladesh: A Study on the Opportunities and Challenges

Parasailing is considered as the modern and popular part of seaside recreational activities. Bangladesh has recently added ‘Parasailing’ to her service list in Cox’s Bazaar and Himchori in 2010. The purpose of this study is to investigate the tourists’ perceptions towards parasailing activities and to analyze the opportunities and challenges of parasailing in Bangladesh. The study is based on primary as well as secondary data, and has applied descriptive research method on the basis of data collected through a questionnaire consisting of 33 questions from 52 respondents. The reason behind choosing this topic is that ‘parasailing’ has a great opportunity in the future tourism business in Bangladesh. Moreover, the aim of this study is to spread this activity in different areas of Bangladesh, like Saint Martin’s island and Patenga sea beaches, so that tourists can enjoy the taste of same. Thinking from a commercial perspective it has a great potential of increasing recreational facilities, earning a huge amount of income, and employing many people from the local community to bring a change in their lives).

PENDAMPINGAN TEKNIK KONSERVASI PENYU LEKANG (Lepidochelys olivacea) DI PESISIR PANTAI LAMPUUK ACEH BESAR

The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), is a species of sea turtle that lives in tropical and subtropical waters with shallow waters. The olive ridley sea turtle is found laying eggs in the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and on the beaches of large islands. The main problem is the population of the olive ridley sea turtle were experiencing the reduction significantly. The aim of this program is to undertake the accompaniment of conservation technique of The olive ridley sea turtle to coastal community Lampuuk Aceh Besar. The stages of empowerment community including monitoring, the relocation, evacuation process, quarantine, and hatching release. We done enthusiasms to follow the empowering community program. We also hope with the conservation program to keep the population of The olive ridley sea turtle at coastal area from the disturbance of preadator and poaching.

Identification of Sand Mineral Content at Beach Tourist Attractions in Sampang Regency through X-Ray Fluorescence and X-Ray Diffraction Testing

Research on the natural mineral content in Sampang Regency has been conducted, namely Camplong Beach, Nepa Beach, and Mandangin Island. The XRF results show that the silica mineral content in Camplong sand at a depth of 0.5 m, 1 m, and 1.5 m are 54.6%, 53.2%, and 57.0%, respectively. Nepa sand shows the highest mineral content is calcium. The calcium content at a depth of 0.5 m, 1 m, and 1.5 m are 51.7%, 58.3%, and 63.0%, respectively. Mandangin Island sand shows the highest calcium content that are 94.69%, 94.65%, and 94.98%, at a depth of 0.5 m, 1 m, and 1.5 m, respectively. XRD test results show that in Camplong sand at a depth of 0.5 m, 1 m, and 1.5 m, SiO2 phase < 94% is formed. In Nepa sand at a depth of 0.5 m, 1 m, and 1.5 m, the SiO2 phase < 80% is formed. For Mandangin Island beach sand with a depth of 0.5 m, 1 m, and 1.5 m, the CaCO3 phase > 90% is formed. This study's results can determine the mineral content of sand, which can be used as a high-tech material to minimize illegal mining.

Microplastic pollution on island beaches, Oahu, Hawai`i

We report microplastic densities on windward beaches of Oahu, Hawai`i, USA, an island that received about 6 million tourist visits a year. Microplastic densities, surveyed on six Oahu beaches, were highest on the beaches with the coarsest sands, associated with high wave energy. On those beaches, densities were very high (700–1700 particles m-2), as high as those recorded on other remote island beaches worldwide. Densities were higher at storm tide lines than high tide lines. Results from our study provide empirical data on the distribution of microplastics on the most populated and visited of the Hawaiian islands.

Fungal diversity and community structure from coastal and barrier island beaches in the United States Gulf of Mexico

Fungi are an important and understudied component of coastal biomes including sand beaches. Basic biogeographic diversity data are lacking for marine fungi in most parts of the world, despite their important role in decomposition. We examined intertidal fungal communities at several United States (US) Gulf of Mexico sand beach sites using morphology and ITS rDNA terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analyses. Fungal biogeographical patterns from sand beach detritus (wood, emergent plant [mangrove/ saltmarsh], or marine [algae, seagrass]) from Florida, Mississippi, and Texas were investigated using diversity indices and multivariate analyses. Fungal diversity increased with decreasing latitude at our study sites. Substrate type strongly influenced fungal community structure in this region, with different fungal communities on detrital marine versus emergent substrates, as well as detrital marine versus wood substrates. Thirty-five fungi were identified morphologically, including new regional and host records. Of these, 86% were unique to an individual collection (i.e., sampled once from one site). Rarefaction curves from pooled morphological data from all sites estimate the number of samples required to characterize the mycota of each substrate. As sampling occurred before the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (April-2010), our findings contribute pre-oil spill sand beach biodiversity data and marine fungal distribution trends within this economically important oceanographic region.