The health of sandy beach ecosystems is depends on good decsions by coastal communities. Because many threats are human related, we can work to minimize them. Important impacts include coastal armoring, beach nourishment, beach grooming and atificial lighting.

The most dire impacts to beaches, such as coastal armoring, can remove entire stretches of beach. 

Beach nourishment and beach grooming alter the beach, removing seaweed and small animals that are a critcal component of sandy beach ecosystems. The result often looks 'clean' but actually is a lifeless 'desert'.

Street lights and other artificial lighting, such as lights on buildings or peers, can have surprisingly important impacts on beach life.