Sandy beaches, from the surf area to the dunes, connect land and sea. They are home to unique biodiversity and provide benefits that the population depends on, such as leisure and tourism, coastal biodiversity and fishing. However, management often prioritizes appearance and short-term comfort, which can degrade habitats and accelerate biodiversity loss.

A key component of beaches is ‘marine debris’: algae and other marine elements that wash ashore. These remains feed the food webs of the beach, provide food and shelter for wildlife, and contribute to the nutrient and carbon cycle. They also influence sand dynamics and recovery after storms. Despite this, marine debris is usually removed by mechanical cleaning, although in some situations (e.g. in the case of invasive species) its removal may be appropriate. Municipalities are faced with a practical question: when should algae remains be preserved, relocated, buried or removed to balance biodiversity, coastal resilience, leisure, public health and livelihoods?

The project will generate comparable ecological and social data across regions and translate them into feasible and locally adapted options and measures for the management of algae remains. The measures will be developed jointly with stakeholders and decision-makers.