Coast Change: Understanding Sensitivity to Beach Loss for Coastal Tourism in the Colombian Caribbean

Luana Carla Portz (), Yacira Sheilla Pérez Torres and Rogério Portantiolo Manzolli ()
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Luana Carla Portz: Department of Geology and Geochemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
Yacira Sheilla Pérez Torres: Maestría de Investigación en Desarrollo Sostenible (MIDES), Departamento de Civil y Ambiental, Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla 080020, Colombia
Rogério Portantiolo Manzolli: Department of Geology and Geochemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 18, 1-17

Abstract: Beach and sun tourism in the Colombian Caribbean is an extremely important activity that leads to social practices that generate recreational and economic activities directly impacting the environment. The research focuses on assessing the sensitivity to the loss of beaches as tourist resources in four locations within the Colombian Caribbean (Santa Verónica, Salinas del Rey, Bocatocino, and Las Arenas). The sensitivity indicator was developed using GIS to process variables such as the width of the usable beach, the presence of dunes, and rates of coastal erosion spanning from 2003 to 2019. Additionally, anthropic occupation was examined through satellite images. The results allowed for identifying vulnerability indices and recognizing the critical role of dunes in beach preservation. The study revealed that the analyzed beaches exhibited varying degrees of sensitivity. Notably, historical erosion rates and dunes were the most influential variables affecting sensitivity. In conclusion, understanding the sensitivity state concerning the loss of beach areas as tourist resources helps delineate stable sectors and those more susceptible to erosion processes. This knowledge proves invaluable in prioritizing the design and implementation of protective measures in areas requiring urgent attention.

Keywords: anthropic effects; tourism; beach erosion; dunes; beach preservation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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