ABSTRACT
While beach management addresses a number of physical issues represented by beach processes, erosion problems, protection measures and beach nourishment, recent work in the past decade has related to socio-economic aspects of beach management and in particular the use of questionnaires relating to beach user perceptions and priorities (Breton et al, 1996; Micallef et al, 1999; Sardá et al, 2005; Villares and Roca, 2007). These authors have suggested that other beach aspects, such as facilities, litter, odour, sediment colour, scenery, size and so on should also be regarded as important beach management issues. For example, in the case of scenery, the design of beach management plans should give careful consideration to local aesthetics due to the synergistic association that exists between aesthetics and management (Ergin et al, 2004). It is arguable that while beach management may directly influence beach aesthetics and determine future use capabilities of the beach area, the latter will subsequently influence the cost effectiveness of any management/restoration costs. Williams et al (1993a), Leatherman (1997) and Ergin et al (2004) describe the relevance of taking into account a variety of features when considering beach area aesthetic values. Such features are represented by the human element (numbers and physical development), physical values (for example beach slope, pocket, broad or narrow beaches) and biological features (such as presence/absence of endangered species).
