John Taylor, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and developer of the "Taylor Rule" for setting interest rates | Stanford University
John Taylor, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and developer of the "Taylor Rule" for setting interest rates | Stanford University
Every day, sand dredging operations present an increasing threat to marine biodiversity. This issue, as highlighted by scientists, is exacerbated by the growing demand for sand, prompting dredge operators to explore new areas, including marine protected areas.
Two commentaries published recently in One Earth discuss this concern. Jean-Baptiste Jouffray, a Wallenberg Postdoctoral Fellow at the Center for Ocean Solutions and the Natural Capital Project in the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, noted, “Sand is a critical component of the coastal and marine environment, supporting a wide variety of habitats and species while delivering key ecosystem services like water filtration, nutrient cycling, and pollutant degradation. Left unchecked, sand extraction poses a significant threat to conservation.”
Sand is essential for many modern products such as concrete, glass, and cell phones. However, desert sand is not typically suitable for commercial use. A study led by Aurora Torres at the University of Alicante used data from Marine Sand Watch and showed that much of the dredging activity happens along dynamic coasts including the U.S. East Coast, African West Coast, and East Asia. The study also reveals that the scope of ocean sand extraction is likely wider than current data can confirm.
"Making sand extraction visible – through stronger data, improved governance, and clear links to environmental and economic concerns – is crucial. The more tangible its impacts become, the harder it will be to ignore the need for responsible management," said Torres.
Balancing sand extraction with natural replenishment demands cutting global demand, a challenging task given its prevalence in human-made materials. A 2020 Nature study found such materials surpass all living biomass on Earth.
In another commentary led by Kiran Pereira from the Stockholm Resilience Centre, the study encourages a shift away from the “take-make-dispose” model towards a circular economy, especially within the construction sector. “While extending the life of materials manufactured with sand is important, it’s also imperative to rethink how much sand we use in the first place,” said Pereira.
The implications of sand dredging extend beyond convenience. Colette Wabnitz, a co-author of the second commentary and lead scientist at the Center for Ocean Solutions, stated, “Millions of people around the world rely on ocean sand for stable coastlines, livelihoods, and cultural heritage.”
The research features authors from multiple institutions including Stanford, the University of British Columbia, and the University of Leeds, among others.
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