SANdy shores
Sandy shores provide one of South Africa’s most valuable services….beaches! Not only are healthy beaches one of our most important tourism, recreational and cultural assets, but beaches are also important ecosystems that play a key role in nutrient cycling, food supply for humans and wildlife, breeding areas for animals such as turtles and homes to thousands of tiny animals that live among the grains of sand. Animals that live on beaches are tough creatures adapted to the shifting sand, tides and waves. Many beach animals burrow into the sand, these include plough snails, ghost crabs, giant pill bugs (or “ teddy bear “ isopods) and white mussels. Hundreds of even smaller creatures live between the sand grains, while birds and fish visit to feed on sandy shores. Seaweed and kelp washed up on beaches increases food supply and form a key part of beach ecosystems.
Healthy beaches require management of the highly connected system of dunes, beaches, and surf zone. This set of interacting habitats is known as the littoral active zone. Beach management needs to maintain the flow of materials between the dunes, beach and surf zone. Where estuaries occur, good estuary condition contributes to beach resilience.
Inappropriate coastal development, mining, reduced fresh water flow and pollution are key pressures on South African beaches. Beach driving is no longer a substantial pressure as vehicle access is limited. Management of resource use such as shore angling, bait collection and net fishing is also important for beach health.
Important sandy shores will be protected in Namaqua National Park MPA, iSimangaliso MPA, uThukela Banks MPA and Addo Elephant National Park MPA.
