Where will the children play? A personal perspective on sandy beaches

The sandy beaches that fringe much of the world's oceans are the most sought-after venue for recreation and tourism on our home planet. However, the value of sandy shores goes well beyond simple recreation, fun and enjoyment. The social-ecological system comprising the sandy littoral zone has diverse intrinsic values, not just in ecosystem services and as repositories of biodiversity, but also as part of our spiritual and cultural world. In this essay we aim to highlight the inherent beauty of sandy littoral zones as a whole and beaches in particular, through the eyes of celebrated poets. We explore the timeless fascination that beaches have held for people and their immense value in spiritual, cultural, economic and environmental contexts. We touch briefly on how beaches are threatened today by a variety of stressors, which are driven primarily by anthropogenic influences. We draw attention to the requirement to consider the sandy littoral holistically and include the beach, dunes and surf zone, which are tightly coupled systems. Then we conclude by emphasising the need for farsighted and participatory governance that should manage the entire sandy littoral as a whole and be underpinned by sound science. We hope that this essay will promote greater appreciation of sandy beaches and stimulate research focused on providing direction to coastal planning and management, as well as encouraging custodians of the coast to consider a more participatory approach to governance.