Single-use plastic (SUP) tableware is one of the top ten items found on beaches worldwide. Bio-based, biodegradable and compostable tableware have emerged as a popular alternative to replace SUPs, however, often used without deep consideration to disposal needs and environmental impact, which are key aspects to ensure litter reduction. This study critically evaluated the usage of six bio-based tableware materials at coastal fe...

Beach wrack can accumulate in large quantities on beaches and is often regarded as a nuisance by beach managers, which is removed for the sake of tourists. The litter entangled in beach wrack can prevent further use of this natural resource. However, not much is known about the litter quantities in beach wrack nor their input paths. We applied an easy-to-use method for beach wrack monitoring in two case studies, in the souther...

We conducted surveys of Mediterranean beaches in Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia including 37 macro-litter (> 25 mm) and 41 meso-litter (5–25 mm) assessments. Our study identified key litter items and assessed pollution sources on urban, semi-urban, tourist, and semi-rural beaches. Macro-litter concentration averaged 5032 ± 4919 pieces per 100 m or 1.71 ± 2.28 pieces/m 2 , with higher values observed on urban (mean 2.63 pieces/m 2...

The ecological importance of macrophytes is well known and reflected in nature protection law, for example, as a key biological quality element. However, the socio-economic role, such as the impact of macrophyte presence on recreational activities, is often overlooked. The purpose of this study was to assess the human benefits (or ecosystem services) provided by macrophytes. We developed a list of 25 macrophyte ecosystem servi...

Aim was to assess whether a comprehensive approach linking existing knowledge with monitoring and modeling can provide an improved insight into coastal and marine plastics pollution. We focused on large micro- and mesoplastic (1–25 mm) and selected macroplastic items. Emission calculations, samplings in the Warnow river and estuary (water body and bottom sediments) and a flood accumulation zone monitoring served as basis for m...

As accumulation zones, sandy beaches are temporal sinks for beach wrack and litter, both often seen as nuisances to tourists. Consequently, there is a need for beach management and an enhanced political interest to evaluate their ecosystem services. We applied a new online multidisciplinary assessment approach differentiating between the provision, potential, and flow at German and Lithuanian beaches (Southern Baltic Sea). We...