Knowledge not only of the response and recovery rates of
macrofaunal assemblages to human impacts, but also of the durability
of artificial structures implemented on sandy beaches must be
taken into account by scientists and decision makers, namely local
authorities around the world (Jaramillo, 2012; McLachlan et al.,
2013).
Furthermore, evaluating not only the magnitude of engineering
modifications to the community structure but also the changes
in the ecological processes that occur in this system is a serious
challenge for sandy beach ecologists.
McLachlan et al. (2013) have also stressed the need to assess
the frequency and magnitude of both press and pulse disturbances,
the importance of providing projections of future impacts and their
magnitude, frequency and intensity, and the need to identify early
warning indicators of disturbance.
We agree with Chapman and Underwood (2011) who ask for
collaboration between ecologists and engineers to create infrastructures
that will sustain biodiversity in such valuable ecosystems,
but also the need for more experimental tests involving prediction
about what happens when such impacts takes place. Given
the current trends and predictions for climate change (Brown and
McLachlan, 2002; Doney et al., 2012; IPCC, 2007) and continuously
rising sea level effects, shoreline stabilisation programmes should
adopt an adaptive management approach that allows designs to be
modified in line with changing conditions over time. Artificial structures
need to be well implemented; otherwise they will jeopardise
the resilience of beaches on account of more frequently disturbed
scenarios in the future.