Beach Scenic Quality Along the Northern Atlantic Coast of Morocco: Characterisation of Anthropogenic Pressures and Management Implications

Coastal scenic quality is increasingly recognized as a valuable tool for characterizing coastal landscape states, identifying visible anthropogenic pressures, and supporting decision-making within integrated coastal zone management. However, despite the ecological, cultural, and socio-economic importance of the Moroccan North Atlantic coast, no systematic assessment of its landscape quality had been carried out to date. This study presents the first assessment of the coastal scenic quality along the Moroccan North Atlantic coast. It aims to objectively assess the landscape quality of beaches, classify them according to their landscape value, and identify the main physical and human factors influencing their quality. In total, 64 beaches were assessed using the Coastal Scenic Evaluation System (CSES), a semi-quantitative method based on 26 parameters (18 physical and 8 human) and fuzzy-logic mathematics to overcome subjectivity and quantify uncertainties. An evaluation index (D) was obtained for each site, enabling them to be classified into five scenic classes from Class I (exceptional landscape quality) to Class V (severely degraded landscape quality). The evaluation showed that 3 beaches (4.7%) were classified in Class I (D ≥ 0.85), 15 beaches (23.4%) in Class II (0.85 > D ≥ 0.65), 14 beaches (21.9%) in Class III (0.65 > D ≥ 0.40), 15 beaches (23.4%) in Class IV (0.40 > D ≥ 0.00) and 17 beaches (26.6%) in Class V (D < 0.00). The low percentage of sites classified in the higher classes I and II (28.1%) and the predominance of sites classified in the lower classes IV and V (50%, i.e., half of the sites studied) highlight the degradation of coastal landscapes and underline the significant influence of anthropogenic pressures on the current deterioration in the absence of appropriate coastal management. Overall, 38% of the sites studied obtained low scores for the parameter “Litter”, 42% for “Built environment” and 59% for “Utilities”. These findings provide decision-makers and coastal managers with relevant information to prevent and limit further degradation and propose measures to preserve and improve the quality of coastal landscapes. Furthermore, this data is essential for understanding the natural and anthropogenic processes that influence the landscape and provides a scientific basis for identifying priority areas for conservation, management or restoration, within the framework of a sustainable development approach and integrated coastal management.