In April, we held a Sand-tastic Science Saturday virtual event focused on sand ecology. Sandy beaches are coastal areas covered with soft, loose sand, formed by waves and wind moving tiny pieces of rock and shells over time. These beaches are popular spots for relaxation and recreation, but they also protect the land from strong waves and storms. Many animals, like birds and crabs, live on or near sandy beaches, making them vital to the environment. The USVI is home to many beautiful sandy beaches!
Dr. Guilherme Corte, an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University at Galveston and a former assistant professor at the University of the Virgin Islands, believes that life is better at the beach. He explains that “sandy beaches are neglected ecosystems” because they are the least studied. Dr. Corte joined DPNR’s Territorial Parks and Protected Areas Director, Kitty Edwards, for the most recent Science Saturday event to discuss the importance of sandy beaches to our survival and the need for more research on these ecosystems across the territory.
The ecology of the sand we walk on is often unknown to us, even as we enjoy the beaches we love. Dr. Corte highlights that these beaches are threatened by human activities and climate change, which are causing significant impacts on our coastlines. “Even when we think we are doing something good, we may be impacting sandy beaches.” For example, beach cleaning with heavy machinery removes the sand needed to combat coastal erosion. Extreme weather events like hurricane storm surges also change our beaches and harm the species that depend on them. Additionally, activities at higher elevations ultimately affect our beaches and coastlines. Dr. Corte believes that investing in more research on sandy beaches will help raise awareness of their importance and encourage better protection of our coastlines.
How can we better understand the value of sandy beaches? What connections can we make between sandy beaches and our marine environments? Watch the full interview with Dr. Corte and Kitty to learn more!
Science Saturday, a monthly Facebook LIVE event, airs on the second Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. Watch the full interview on the Department of Planning and Natural Resources Facebook page or the Science Saturday YouTube playlist.
