The impact of storms on coastal dunes and beaches and the effects they induce in topography and plant communities are natural processes that contribute to maintaining natural coastal dynamics. However, because coasts are often densely populated, these phenomena are perceived as major threats to human property. To protect human assets sustainably, nature-based defenses have emerged as an option. Coastal dunes act as natural buffers that mitigate the extent of erosion and inland flooding, and their resistance depends on the biogeomorphological feedback between the plants and the dunes. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of one winter storm on beach and dune topography and the plant communities, and to explore the effect of plants in mitigating erosion on beaches with different geomorphological features. The effects on plant communities were evaluated by comparing diversity and plant cover before and after the storm. Later, the role of plants in conferring dune resistance against erosion was examined by measuring erosion on the exposed face of the dunes considering plant cover and plant richness. The results did not show significant differences in plant diversity and plant cover between pre-and post-storm conditions, but turnover of species was recorded. The dune building species were not affected but inland species disappeared. Erosion was reduced when the dunes were higher and, furthermore, plant cover was negatively correlated with erosion on these dunes. The results showed a reduced impact of the storm on the plant communities, which is important as it facilitates the recovery of dunes by the dune-building species and protects them in a subsequent storm. The novelty of this study is that: (a) it demonstrates the species-specific role of plants in mitigating dune erosion in field conditions; (b) it shows the interaction between plant-related features and geomorphological variables in promoting dune resistance to erosion, and (c) it explores the immediate effect of a winter storm on the plant community and dune-building species.

The extensive shoreline of Mexico is heterogeneous and diverse, but it is increasingly exposed to degradation and loss. This is the first study performed at a national level and with a multidisciplinary approach, that aims to assess the impact of climate change and human-related pressures affecting Mexican coasts. From 1863 to 2022, 386 tropical cyclones have landed on Mexican coasts, six of them of category 5 (most on the Atlantic). Sea level rise projections showed that the Atlantic coast is the most vulnerable, whereas intense coastal erosion ( > 25m/year) is more widespread on the northern Pacific coast. Human impacts include coastal urbanization, ecosystem degradation and coastal armouring. Six million people live on Mexican coasts, mostly in the Caribbean. Mangroves and coastal dunes each cover nearly 800,000 ha. The mangroves are relatively well preserved, but almost half the area of the coastal dunes is degraded. Coastal armouring is widespread along the coasts, but most of these structures (55%) are found on the Yucatan peninsula. Activities required to improve the condition of Mexican coasts and make them a sustainable place to live would include: adaptation of human settlements to the conditions of the dynamic coasts; appropriate coastal protection measures that do not induce downdrift erosion; dealing with coastal risks by restoring and preserving coastal ecosystems.

Coastal dune restoration projects are increasingly seen as a means of protecting the coast against storms, especially with the use of natural (plants), artificial (geotextile tube cores) and hybrid (plants and geotextile tube) elements. As geotextile tube cores have been found to negatively affect dune and beach natural morphodynamics, rocky cores are thus seen as a potential alternative. We carried out laboratory experiments to compare the performance of dunes with rocky cores, geotextile cores, and both types when coupled with planted vegetation. We investigated these elements in the context of scaled mild, moderate, and intense storm conditions. The results showed that dunes with either type of core lost more sand than dunes without cores. The addition of plants generally reduced the erosion across the various options, but most strongly for rocky cores under mild and moderate storm conditions. We also found that dunes with a high density of plants were best for intense conditions. Overall, the use of rocky dune cores, when coupled with plants, is the most suitable and sustainable alternative option in hybrid engineering projects.

The real estate business on sandy coasts and coastal dunes has increased dramatically over the last decades because of the growing demands for leisure activities which, consequently, have yielded important economic gains. Such ravaging exploitation results in the replacement of sandy ecosystems with tourism-oriented settlements, infrastructure, and facilities. As the sandy beaches and coastal dunes become deteriorated or eliminated, their protective role is lost, and the hydrometeorological risks to which the increasing human coastal populations are exposed grow, especially in a climate change scenario with increasing storminess. Furthermore, when possible, the expansion of the tourism industry continues searching for new, unspoiled locations, and the cycle begins again. This situation leads to the dilemma of coastal management: should we continue with the over-exploitation of sandy coasts for growing economic benefits? Or should we preserve the coasts for protection against the impact of increasing storms and sea level rise and to benefit biodiversity? Although scientific evidence demonstrates the relevance of protecting the coasts, coastal development plans continue to ignore these findings. What are the key drivers for these trends? We first looked for scientific evidence of the appraisal of the esthetic beauty of the beach and coastal dunes, as highly important drivers of urbanization and coastal environmental change. We then looked for evidence that demonstrated how coastal dunes offer storm protection Finally, we examined if the conservation of beaches and coastal dunes can be compatible with non-intrusive tourism. In summary, through the literature review and our own data, we show how different alternatives may help achieve a more sustainable coastal tourism by combining economic necessities with environmental concerns.

Although the literature on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is vast worldwide, studies in Mexico focusing on Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) and SDGs are only beginning to emerge. Despite this academic gap, Mexico has signed up for the United Nations SDGs, which include producing clean and affordable energy and reducing CO₂ emissions to slow global warming. The country is, therefore, committed to implementing measures to help achieve these goals. This study is the first multidisciplinary analysis performed at a national level in Mexico, aimed at identifying sites for efficient Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) production while considering socioeconomic needs, environmental risks, and societal acceptance of the new technologies. We first calculated the energy potential from nearshore winds, waves, marine currents, and offshore thermal gradients. The results show that electricity needs are greater in the 11 states where levels of marginalization are highest. The production of MRE is feasible in three of these regions. However, because Mexico is home to significant natural coastal ecosystems and protected species, care is necessary to produce electricity while protecting Mexico’s megadiversity. Social perception of the use of MRE is variable: the inhabitants of some locations are willing to accept the new technologies, whereas those in others are not. MRE production in Mexico is feasible but will face environmental and social issues that must be addressed before deploying new devices in the oceans.

The conservation status of the Colombian Caribbean dune system was assessed considering the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors. The study took place in five locations with a gradient of human disturbance. In total, 198 plots and 22 transects were established, three transects in Gairaca and Costa Verde; four in Lipe, and six in Mendihuaca and Salguero. Environmental variables such as dune height, slope, sediment physical–chemical attributes, and anthropogenic impact were assessed in each site, while species composition, frequency, and plant cover were determined for each plot. The results show a correlation between natural and anthropogenic factors and the composition and structure of plant communities growing on the beach and coastal dunes. Human disturbances (urbanized areas, construction, burning, debris, trampling, logging, tourism, groins, sewage, roads, garbage, and sediment extraction) were particularly relevant. Plant cover and species diversity were inversely related to human impact and disturbance. Furthermore, community structure varied among sites: trees and vines were more frequent in the preserved locations, while shrubs and parasitic plants were more abundant in the disturbed sites. Management alternatives should consider the environmental factors (natural and anthropogenic) affecting vegetation to improve the conservation of plant diversity on coastal dunes along the Colombian Caribbean coast.