Assessing erosion and sediment removal in the Isla Salamanca coastal barrier: implications for the Barranquilla-Ciénaga highway and coastal marine biodiversity – Colombia

The Isla Salamanca coastal barrier on the Colombian Caribbean coast faces significant erosion, driven by climate change-induced, sea level rise and human activities such as highway construction. The Barranquilla-Ciénaga highway, particularly at kilometers 19 and 29, is at risk, with severe consequences for the region’s socio-economic and environmental well-being. Human interventions like the highway construction and seawall installations have disrupted the natural coastal dynamics, leading to increased erosion rates. The study, conducted between 2004 and 2021, reveals that the Isla Salamanca coastal barrier is experiencing substantial transgression, with erosion rates peaking at -16.1 m·yr^− 1. The highway protection measures, with seawall construction, have proven inadequate, exacerbating erosion downstream. The mangrove loss due to hydrological changes and increased salinity is further threatening the fragile ecosystem. The research emphasizes the importance of considering biodiversity loss in the context of rapid erosion rates. The region, declared a Ramsar Site and Biosphere Reserve, hosts vital ecosystems like mangroves and dunes, whose destruction negatively impacts marine biodiversity. The study suggests the relocation of the highway, acknowledging the challenges of preserving wetlands and mangroves in the process. Balancing the need for infrastructure with ecological preservation is essential, and the study proposes comprehensive solutions, including shoreline management, ecosystem-based protection, and community involvement. The goal is to mitigate erosion’s adverse effects on biodiversity, habitat integrity, and the overall health of this ecologically sensitive region.