The ecological effects of beach sand mining in Ghana using ghost crabs ( Ocypode species ) as biological indicators

The protected taxon Ocypode cursor (Linnaeus, 1758) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Ocypodidae) – documenting its well-established presence in the central Mediterranean

“…Commonly known as ghost crabs due to their nocturnality and their generally pale colouration that blends in well with the sand (Karleskint et al 2009), they are predators of small animals, including early juveniles of turtles, and generalist scavengers, whose cleaning activity makes them important components of sandy beach food webs (Trott 1999;Valero-Pacheco et al 2007;Türeli et al 2009;Lucrezi & Schlacher 2014;Marco et al 2015). Being negatively affected by human activities, they also constitute valuable ecological indicators for quickly assessing the impact of disturbance on beach habitats (Branco et al 2010;Schlacher et al 2011;Noriega et al 2012;Jonah et al 2015;Lucrezi 2015).…”

Shoreline change analysis using end point rate and net shoreline movement statistics: An application to Elmina, Cape Coast and Moree section of Ghana’s coast

“…Jonah and Adu-Boahen (2014), Jonah et al (2015a), Jonah et al (2015b) and Jonah et al (2016), clearly demonstrate the physical, social, economic and ecological consequences of the coastal erosion problem in the Elmina, Cape Coast and Moree area.…”

A Biophysical and Socioeconomic Review of the Volta Delta, Ghana

“…Other emerging economic activities in the region are charcoal burning, which involves cutting of wood (Akrasi, 2005), and salt production (Barry et al, 2005). Coastal sand mining is a major activity practiced along the entire coast of Ghana and more widely in West Africa (Angnuureng, Appeaning Addo, and Wiafe, 2013;Anim, Nkrumah, and David, 2013;Appeaning Addo, Walkden, and Mills, 2008;Jonah et al, 2015;Wiafe et al, 2013). Although the practice is illegal, lack of enforcement has failed to stop this activity.…”