The Effects of Overcrowding on Marine Life in Small Tourist Beaches

Abstract

Small beaches represent fragile ecosystems where marine and coastal biodiversity coexist in a delicate balance with human activities. In recent decades, the rise of mass tourism has placed significant pressure on these environments, particularly through overcrowding during peak tourist seasons. This study investigates the ecological impacts of overcrowded tourist beaches on marine life in small coastal areas. Overcrowding leads to
increased physical disturbance of intertidal zones, accumulation of waste, alteration of sediment composition, and elevated nutrient loading from human activity. These factors directly and indirectly disrupt habitats of key species, including benthic invertebrates, seagrass meadows, and juvenile fish populations. Additionally, noise, light pollution, and chemical contaminants from sunscreen and personal care products degrade water quality and harm sensitive organisms. Evidence from Mediterranean and other small-scale coastal ecosystems suggests that these stressors reduce species richness, alter community composition, and increase vulnerability to invasive species. The findings underscore the pressing need for sustainable tourism management strategies, including visitor capacity limits, zoning of recreational activities, and public awareness campaigns, to protect marine biodiversity in small beach ecosystems.