Sandy beaches comprise unvegetated, fine- to medium-grained sediments in the intertidal zones that line roughly one-third of the length of the world's ice-free coastlines . The amenity value of beaches as cultural, recreational and residential destinations has driven extensive urbanisation of beach-associated coastlines . Beaches also provide habitat for many resident species, nesting habitat for marine vertebrates, filtration of coastal waters and protection of the coastline from erosion . These soft-sediment coastal ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to habitat loss caused by erosion, especially where landward transgression is inhibited by infrastructure .
IPCC
Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
IPCC Report