I have always wondered if there are any benefits to allowing cars drive on the beach instead of having them park in a specified area. I heard that cars compact the seaweed into the sand (which adds nutrients?).
2006-12-10 10:31:13 · 5 answers · asked by Squawkers 4 in Environment
Locally,(Corpus Christi, Tx) we have one of the only open beaches in the U.S., possibly the only one, where cars are allowed to drive freely. I was wondering if there was any benefit from this onto the environment.
2006-12-10 10:38:08 · update #1
Driving on the beach can be highly disturbing to wildlife. Some birds, such as the Snowy Plover (endangered) will abandon their nests if frightened by vehicles. There are other species that nest in the sand that are impacted as well. On the gulf coast I would think there would also be sea turtles.
Where we live in N. California, the Snowy Plover, which used to be common, is almost extinct. Gold Bluffs Beach in Redwood National and State Parks formerly allowed limited use for commercial fishermen. As soon as they closed the beach completely plovers returned and began to nest and raise young. I listed the link below so you can see the impact documented.
The shoreline is an important habitat and there are many species adapted to it and it alone. They did not evolve in an environment filled with big, sand churning vehicles. Natural, undeveloped beaches are no place for cars, dune runners, etc.
Developed beaches present another problem. In Crescent City, California where I live vehicles had to be banned from the beach because of irresponsable use. There were lots of close calls and finally a teenage girl was killed. It's too bad we have these sort of rules because of a few jerks, but it seems to be an unfortunate fact of life. There is still one beach left in the area that is open, but much of it may be closed as plover habitat. In California there are only a few, small beach areas that allow vehicles.
2006-12-10 11:24:32 · answer #1 · answered by gordon B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sand is probably moved around much more by the sea and wind then by cars. Anyway by Pismo Beach where I used to live, there's a place where you can drive your car on the sand. The main problem environmentalists were worried about was cars running over sensitive plants that grew along the beach there.
2006-12-10 11:11:13 · answer #2 · answered by Roman Soldier 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Say what? Have you been to the beach lately? There's maybe a scattering of seaweed, but hardly enough to do anything useful.
Plus, most cars can't drive successfully on sand. It'll be a great way to generate money for towing companies, though.
2006-12-10 10:34:48 · answer #3 · answered by arbiter007 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hasn't anyone heard of Daytona beach,Fla.
Cars drive on the beach and have for years.
Just don't park and have the tide come in, Then you will need a tow truck.
2006-12-10 10:48:57 · answer #4 · answered by unpop5 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it bugs the old farts that cant ride 4 wheelers and have fun anymore, so they make it against the law
2006-12-10 10:40:30 · answer #5 · answered by capt_yah000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋