Sand wars is a surprising investigation into one of the most consumed natural resources on the planet. Due to the high demand for sand, the planet's reserves are being threatened. Three-quarters of the world's beaches are in decline and bound to disappear as victims of erosion, or of sand smuggling. Triggered by building construction, smuggling bands, or "sand mafias," plunder beaches and rivers for this highly prized commodity. Sand has quietly infiltrated...

Based on analyses by agricultural and legal experts, this work offers food for thought on using the law to include the notion of ecosystem service in soil protection. It has been written as part of the research programme “Soil cultivation, ecosystem services and compensation. Agricultural and legal aspectsâ€#x9D; within the Institute of legal studies on town planning, construction and environment.