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A composite index, based on function analysis and including thirteen sub-indices, was developed to assess the overall quality of urban and urbanized beaches in the Mediterranean area. The aggregation of components and sub-indices was based on two questionnaires completed by beach users and experts. Applying the new Beach Quality Index (BQI) demonstrated that the quality of beaches could be improved. In general, the strongest aspects of the beaches assessed were those related to short-term user demand, and the weakest were those related to the consequences of human pressure on the area, in particular, erosion problems. The composite index is intended to be used together with Environmental Management Beach Systems (EMBs) as a hierarchical management scorecard and in monitoring programs. This new tool could also make planning more proactive by synthesizing the state of the most important beach processes.

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The potential influence of shoreline dynamics on beach use and the exploitation of beaches for recreational purposes are analyzed for the Mediterranean coast. This is done by assuming that for intensively used beaches, such as those considered in this work, beach carrying capacity is mainly influenced by the available subaerial surface. In mid-latitude areas with well-defined climatic seasons, managers will need to know the optimum configuration for the beach's recreational purposes in May at the latest if they are to properly plan the services for users during the bathing season. This can be affected by three main aspects of shoreline dynamics: long-term erosion, shoreline reorientations in bayed beaches, and storm-induced changes. To analyze the influence of these processes, here we introduce the concept of "optimum beach width," which is the value ideally used by visitors when no spatial constraints exist. The effect on this width by each of the mentioned processes is discussed by using examples taken from Spanish beaches.

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The Catalan coast as most of the developed Mediterranean coastal zone is characterized by the coincidence of stresses and pressures on the natural system with a high exposure and low adaptive capacity. Due to this, Climate Change-induced effects will increase natural hazards and aggravate their associated impacts and, in consequence, it is necessary to assess their effects for proper long-term management. In this work, we assess the impact of sea-level rise (SLR) induced shoreline retreat on the Catalan coast for three scenarios ranging from 0.53 m to 1.75 m by the year 2100. Implications are analyzed in terms of affectation of two main functions provided by beaches, i.e. recreation and protection. Obtained results show that CC will be a serious threat to analyzed functions since the expected enhanced shoreline retreat will severely decrease the recreational carrying capacity and, the capacity of protection in the near future under tested scenarios. The actual level of development along the coastal zone reduces the natural resilient capacity of beaches to SLR in such a way that, the lack of accommodation space can be identified as a main factor for the estimated impacts.

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