Sandy Beaches as Endangered Ecosystems: Environmental Problems, Possible Assessment and Management Solutions

Sandy beaches are the most abundant coastal environments worldwide, which have an undeniable and unique ecological value. Presently, they are amongst the most endangered ecosystems in the biosphere, mainly due to the influence of several human activities. In this book, renowned scientists from around the world describe key attributes of sandy beaches and highlight the problems which impact them. Specific tools encompassing the physical environment and the biota are pointed out, at different levels of ecological organization. The book also covers suitable management, conservation programmes and respective actions, where ecologic, economic and social dimensions are comprehensively integrated.

Sílvia C. Gonçalves is a Portuguese researcher, with a PhD in Biology (specialty of Ecology) by the University of Coimbra, Portugal. She is presently Coordinating Professor at the School of Tourism and Maritime Technology (ESTM), of the Polytechnic of Leiria (Portugal), lecturing mainly in the scientific areas of ecology, biological diversity and marine environment. She is also a Senior Researcher at MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre and focusses her research on marine ecology, in the following domains: (1) bio-ecology of crustacean populations on sandy beaches and their potential as ecological indicators of human impacts; (2) structure and function of macrobenthic communities; (3) monitoring and evaluation of environmental quality in coastal ecosystems, especially on sandy beaches and coastal lagoons. Her scientific research activities also include environmental biotechnology (e.g., bioremediation of trace metals by halophyte plants) and aquaculture (e.g., maintenance and reproduction of sea urchins and fish). Her scientific production includes book chapters in international books, research papers in international scientific periodicals with referee, publications in international congresses with referee, oral and poster presentations on international scientific meetings and the authorship of one documentary of scientific outreach about marine life in coastal areas. She is also referee of several international scientific periodicals from leading publishers (e.g., Elsevier, Springer Verlag, Taylor & Francis) and Associate Editor of the journal Frontiers in Marine Science.

Susana M.F. Ferreira is a Portuguese researcher, with a PhD in Biology (specialization in Ecology) from the University of Coimbra (Portugal), since 2005. She is currently an Adjunct Professor at the Polytechnic of Leiria Portugal), where she lectures biology, zoology, histology, embryology, population dynamics, and is a Coordination Commission member of the Higher Professional Technical Course in Laboratory Analysis. She is also Senior Researcher at MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (PLeiria), Collaborator at CFE - Centre for Functional Ecology (University of Coimbra), and member of the ORBEA - Body Responsible for the Animal Welfare of MARE-PLeiria. Her scientific activity includes areas of ecology, biotechnology and aquaculture. The domain of her specialization relates with research on biological and ecological processes in aquatic ecosystems: environmental impact studies, with emphasis on eutrophication processes; population dynamics, biology and secondary production of benthic organisms; community structure and functioning of coastal systems; influence of trematode parasites on estuarine crustaceans and molluscs. Her fascination for the sea and marine life encouraged her to pursue several nautical and underwater activities (local skipper, VHF-A operator, PADI advanced open water and enriched air diver, plus digital underwater photographer). She is currently developing research on trace metals and phytoremediation in coastal habitats; stock assessment of aquatic organisms and their use in aquaculture and biotechnology (namely, sea anemones, polychaetes, sea urchins and fish); animal welfare; and ocean literacy. Her scientific production counts on an international book, chapters in international books, articles in international journals with scientific referee, abstracts in international congress proceedings with scientific referee, oral and panel communications, an invention of a feed for rearing omnivorous fish patented in Europe, plus the direction and authorship of a documentary on marine life.