Coastal erosion affects nearly 70% of global beaches, threatening ecosystems and socio-economic development. This study proposes a monitoring framework integrating Differential GNSS RTK, RPA photogrammetry with PPK, and high-resolution satellite imagery to evaluate shoreline change and beach profiles along Panama’s Pacific coast. Short-term (3–5 months) and long-term (13 years) analyses were conducted using DSAS metrics—End Point Rate (EPR) and Net Shoreline Movement (NSM)—to quantify erosion trends. Results show Differential GNSS provides superior accuracy for sandy beach profiling, while RPA photogrammetry is effective in complex terrains such as rocky-bottom beaches. Combining RPA and satellite imagery enhances long-term shoreline monitoring. The proposed plan offers a scalable, cost-effective approach for coastal management, supporting evidence-based policy, land-use planning, and disaster risk reduction, while serving as a methodological reference for future research.

Panama, with nearly 3000 km of coastline and half its population living in coastal zones, faces high vulnerability to sea level rise, flooding, and extreme events. The most vulnerable areas include low-lying coastal provinces such as Panama, Colón, and Chiriquí. This review explores the use of sustainable concrete to address the effects of climate change in Panama towards coastal resilience. The methodology combined a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer, a systematic literature review (2015–2025) of 99 sources including regulations and technical standards, and a socioeconomic SWOT analysis to assess adoption drivers and barriers. A 2050 permanent inundation map was examined to identify vulnerable areas, and an inventory of concrete-based protection structures was developed. The results highlight that concrete is already used in Panama for coastal resilience through structures such as breakwaters, dolos, and Xbloc units. However, as the country still needs to expand its coastal protection infrastructure, there is a crucial opportunity to implement lower-impact, sustainable concrete alternatives that minimize environmental burdens while ensuring long-term durability and performance. Sustainable options, including supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), recycled aggregates, and CO₂ injection technologies, demonstrate strong mitigation potential, with national initiatives such as Vertua, Greentec, and Argos pozzolan offering early pathways. The conclusions emphasize the need to expand sustainable concrete applications, integrate nature-based solutions, and strengthen Panama’s regulatory and technical capacity to achieve resilient, low-carbon coastal infrastructure.

Seawater quality was described in the Caribbean coast of Panama based on water physicochemical parameters and biological monitoring studies. Samples of water and benthic macroinvertebrates were collected near Punta Galeta, Province of Colón, Panama. The sampling area was sheltered from the action of waves and located between the coral reef and mangroves. Class Polychaeta was themost abundant with 90 % overall presence in Punta Galeta. Taxonomic classes of Bivalvia, Malacostraca and Ophiuroidea only represented 10 % altogether. Overall, seawater quality was suitable for the collected species of macroinvertebrates, even though concentrations of nitrateand phosphate were above the recommended value. Recorded values of temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen indicated that the site is far from reaching hypoxic conditions. Water quality index indicates a good water quality at Punta Galeta. Further studies with more robust and intense sampling programs are required to properly define the seasonal variations of water quality and its link to benthic macroinvertebrates. Similar studies in the Caribbean of Panama are scarce even though they offer valuable information for water resource administrators.