When we think of summer, we often imagine ourselves at the beach, relaxing on the sand and listening to the sound of the sea. But beaches are more than just a place to relax: they are also essential habitats for many species. That's why preserving our beaches in their natural state is such an important topic, and one we're going to look at in more detail.
We call a “natural beach” a coastal area where sand, rocks, vegetation, algae and other organic matter are left in their natural state, with little or no human intervention. Natural beaches support local biodiversity, provide a habitat for many species, and allow people to discover the wonders of this ecosystem.
More and more people recognize that an attractive beach is a living place that supports biodiversity and invites one to explore its natural wonders.
In our region, beaches vary in composition, from sandy areas to sections of pebbles or rocks of different sizes. They are dynamic ecosystems that can vary in shape and thickness from season to season or from year to year, due to factors such as weather conditions and coastal currents, particularly during storms, especially when the tide is high.
Sediment movement is necessary to keep these environments in balance. Beaches, for example, are becoming increasingly rare, partly due to the riprap that has been placed on coastal land to protect against storms and rising sea levels. Riprap blocks the natural movement of sediment and sand, essential for beach regeneration, and reduces the habitat of many coastal species.
Coastal erosion occurs when waves, tides, winds and currents erode shorelines, including the beaches, dunes and marshes that can be found along the coastline. This natural process shifts the sand between the shoreline bars, beach and dunes according to the season.
In the presence of a drift current along the coast, sediment and other materials eroded in one place can be used to maintain a beach in a new location. Beaches are therefore continually reshaped. All these processes also create habitats for flora and fauna, helping to maintain the balance of the coastal ecosystem.
The rate or speed of erosion depends on factors such as the type of rock, soil, climate and waves, vegetation and the shape of the coast. Human activities, such as near-shore construction and riprap to protect property, can also affect this natural process and sometimes disrupt ecosystems.
Our Healthy Dune and Coastal Zone and Dunes pages provide a better understanding of the dynamics of the coastal environment and processes such as longshore drift, which contributes to the movement of sediment.
Beaches share common features, including the accumulation of seaweed, eelgrass and other natural elements left behind by the tides, known as beach wrack, which plays an important role in the health of the coastal ecosystem. Seagrass, seaweed, driftwood, shellfish and crustacean shells can be found scattered along the beach or deposited in a line parallel to the sea.
Beach wrack is an important habitat that plays a key role in the ecological functions of the upper beach and dunes. It is essential to biodiversity, providing a rich habitat for diverse species such as insects and small invertebrates. It is also a source of food for many birds.
It also plays a key role in stabilizing sand, promoting plant growth and reducing erosion. Keeping beach wrack on beaches promotes the diversity of the food chain and maintains the natural resilience of the beach, contributing to the overall health of the coastline.
Eelgrass is a marine plant that grows in shallow waters to form underwater meadows. These eelgrass beds play a crucial role as a habitat for many marine species, such as fish and crustaceans. They serve as a nursery, food supply and shelter for many organisms that form the basis of our coastal food chain.
As well as favoring biodiversity, eelgrass helps reduce the force of waves, thus limiting coastal erosion. When storms uproot these plants, they are transported to the beach by the tides to form the beach wrack.
Coastal plants thrive on beaches and sand dunes because they are specially adapted to survive in harsh conditions. These environments have poor, sandy soil with little water retention, limited nutrients, and frequent periods of drought. Coastal plants are also exposed to salt from the sea, which is harmful to most other plants.
Despite these challenges, many species flourish thanks to unique adaptations, for example, deep roots to access water, and waxy or succulent leaves that conserve moisture and tolerate salty conditions. Plants such as marram grass and other native species play a vital role in stabilizing dunes by anchoring sand with their roots, preventing erosion and sand shifting.
These plants also support the coastal ecosystem by providing habitat and food for insects, birds, and small animals. Additionally, they contribute to the beauty and health of the coastal zone.
Here are a few of them:
Shorebirds rely on natural beaches and beach wrack because they find an abundant food source there—like an all-you-can-eat buffet! This natural mix of seaweed, seagrass, shells, and organic material plays a crucial role for these birds. Rich in nutrients, the wrack provides a habitat for a variety of insects, small crustaceans, and other invertebrates.
Shorebirds like sandpipers and plovers mainly rely on these creatures for food, especially during migration and nesting seasons. By leaving wrack undisturbed, these beaches support healthy bird populations and help maintain the delicate balance of coastal ecosystems.
Every year, many migratory shorebirds visit the shores of the Northumberland Strait. These beaches are essential resting places for these birds, which travel thousands of kilometers on their migration. These stopovers are essential to their survival, allowing them to feed and refuel before continuing their journey south.
Data on bird populations collected over more than 50 years show a clear decline in the number of birds, including those that visit our beaches. That's why it's so important to do everything we can to protect them.
This report published in 2024 by Bird Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada entitled The State of Canada's Birds presents the current state of bird populations and their evolution over time, and indicates what we can all do to help the birds found in Canada. One section shows figures for shorebirds.
By respecting their presence and avoiding disturbance, we can help these birds make a success of their migration, while protecting the fragile balance of coastal ecosystems.
Beaches are vital areas for biodiversity, and ideal places to enjoy the beauty of the coastline. By minimizing our impact during our visits, we help to protect the habitats of the plants and animals that live there.
Here are a few best practices for a healthy beach:
When people organize beach clean-ups, they sometimes mistakenly think that they have to “clean” everything on the sand. And yes, unfortunately, garbage such as plastic, glass and packaging also ends up on our beaches, mixing in with the beach wrack.
It's important to pick up this garbage, but natural elements like seaweed, eelgrass and shellfish should be left in place, because as explained above, they're part of the coastal ecosystem.
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