Erosion and the beaches of Negril
Abstract In Negril, beach erosion is a major environmental concern, caused by similar anthropogenic stressors impacting populated coastal areas worldwide. This review recapitulates the environmental circumstances leading to beach erosion in Negril through the lens of global and regional trends, arguing in favor of the ecosystem approach for long term mitigation. Evidence points to depleted coastal ecosystems and services, calling for the restoration of the neglected Negril Environmental Protected Area (NEPA) which contains the entire tidal flow of the beach barrier system. The looming threat of eutrophication adds the reduction of nutrient fluxes to the equation of sustainability, requiring adequate sewage treatment and wetland restoration. Perspectives for restoration and the societal constraints pertaining to protected area management are addressed, concluding that the pressing restoration and management of ecological integrity in Negril needs to be a government, business and local community collaboration, connecting not only habitat but people as allies in the battle against biodiversity loss.