Final answer:
Reduction of beach sand in Florida can be attributed to coastal erosion, often worsened by human activities like dredging, as well as natural processes like wave action causing overwash during storms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process causing the reduction of beach sand in certain places in Florida is primarily due to coastal erosion. This erosion can be exacerbated by human activities such as dredging to protect beachfront property. Such projects have been known not only to increase the impact of storms on shorelines but also cause significant ecological damage. Dredging can harm reefs, sea grass beds, and shorelines, potentially leading to the death of marine life which impacts local economies reliant on fisheries and tourism.
Additionally, natural processes like wave action can contribute to sand loss. As waves reach the shore, their energy compresses, leading to higher waves and an effect known as shoaling, which can cause overwash. Overwash is the movement of sand and water over coastal barriers during storm events, leading to further erosion and changes in the distribution of sand on the beach.