Towards Solving the Beach Litter Problem: Ecosystem Service Assessments at North African Coasts

Esther Robbe (), Lilia Ben Abdallah, Loubna El Fels, Nour El Houda Chaher, Mirco Haseler, Fadhel Mhiri and Gerald Schernewski
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Esther Robbe: Research Unit—Coastal Seas and Society, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde, Seestrasse 15, D-18119 Rostock, Germany
Lilia Ben Abdallah: Tunis International Center for Environmental Technologies (CITET), Tunis 2035, Tunisia
Loubna El Fels: Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnologies, Agrosciences and Environment (BioMAgE) Labeled Research Unit-CNRST N°4, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University Marrakech, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
Nour El Houda Chaher: Waste and Resource Management, Rostock University, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 6, D-18059 Rostock, Germany
Mirco Haseler: Research Unit—Coastal Seas and Society, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde, Seestrasse 15, D-18119 Rostock, Germany
Fadhel Mhiri: Tunis International Center for Environmental Technologies (CITET), Tunis 2035, Tunisia
Gerald Schernewski: Research Unit—Coastal Seas and Society, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde, Seestrasse 15, D-18119 Rostock, Germany

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 14, 1-25

Abstract: Sandy beaches along the North African Mediterranean coast face significant challenges due to accumulating human-made debris (marine litter) and natural debris (beach wrack). Addressing these issues requires awareness of pollution and the ecological relevance of beach wrack, along with stakeholder involvement. This study quantifies beach litter pollution and identifies sources in Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt, serving as a basis for ecosystem service assessments and further integration into the implementation of mitigation measures. High levels of plastic litter were found, ranging from 1565 to 7778 pieces per 100 m of beach length. Shoreline activities, tourism, and poor waste management were identified as the main sources of litter, with single-use plastics accounting for 41.1% of the debris. Further objectives include providing a list of suitable ecosystem services and developing management scenarios. Local stakeholders’ perceptions of the impact of marine litter and beach wrack on ecosystem services were assessed using a scenario approach and different formats (i.e., stakeholder workshop, interviews, teaching). Stakeholders highlighted the negative impact of marine litter on cultural services, while beach wrack was perceived positively for regulating and maintenance services. This approach enhances awareness, interest, and knowledge in data-scarce regions, serving as a valuable tool for stakeholder engagement, elicitation of stakeholder knowledge, and teaching (i.e., learning tool). Limitations include the subjectivity of the results, limited participant reach, and dependence on stakeholder knowledge. Integrating stakeholder-based ecosystem service assessments into measure planning and decision making is essential for effective litter management and beach conservation efforts.

Keywords: plastic pollution; beach wrack; stakeholder involvement; mitigation measures; local perception (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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