Singular Geological Evidence, Historical Record and Socio-Economic Consequences of Recent Coastal Erosion and Future Sea Level Rise on Tourist Beaches: A Case Study from Southwestern Spain

Abstract

This paper analyzes the main erosive evidence identified on the Matalascañas beach (Huelva, SW Spain) and its surroundings during the years 2020 and 2021. To the northwest of this beach, the El Asperillo cliff has receded 1.5 m during this period, with the ephemeral exposure of a Pleistocene substrate with numerous paleoichnological evidence of hominids, elephants, bovids and birds. On the Matalascañas beach, the winter storms caused the partial destruction of the promenade and adjoining gastronomic establishments, as well as the exhumation of the underlying sandy substrate. In summer, the dissipative dynamics of the beach brought out a level of ostreids in its eastern sector, occupied by a temporary lagoon that completely covered the recreational bathing area. In the Doñana Park, a Biosphere Reserve, coastal erosion once again brought out a level of peat with an abundant paleoichnological record from the bioerosive action of bivalves. The historical record of this erosive evidence points to a progressive increase in its intensity during the 21th century, with a growing social pressure on the public institutions responsible for its maintenance, given the great socioeconomic impact generated by its dependence on summer tourism. In addition, the progressive sea-level rise will lead to the loss of the recreational area of this beach in the next century, as well as the need to rethink the location of its promenade and the reinforcement of the defensive structures that protect the private housing developments closest to the coastline.

Keywords

coastal erosion / sea level rise / climate change / touristic beach / SW Spain

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