The coastal zone is one of the most dynamic
environments on our planet and is much affected by
global change, especially sea-level rise. Coastal
environments harbour valuable ecosystems, but they are
also hugely important from a societal point of view.
This book, which draws on the expertise of 21 leading
international coastal scientists, represents an
up-to-date account of coastal environments and past,
present and future impacts of global change. The first
chapter of the book outlines key principles that
underpin coastal systems and their behaviour. This is
followed by a discussion of key processes, including sea
level change, sedimentation, storms, waves and tides,
that drive coastal change. The main part of the book
consists of a discussion of the main coastal
environments (beaches, dunes, barriers, salt marshes,
tidal flats, estuaries, coral reefs, deltas, rocky and
glaciated coasts and coastal groundwater), and how these
are affected by global change. The final chapter
highlights strategies for coping with coastal change.
Readership : final year undergraduate and
postgraduate-level students on coastal courses in a wide
range subjects, including geography, environmental
management, geology, oceanography and coastal/civil
engineering. The book will also be a valuable resource
for researchers and applied scientists dealing with
coastal environments. |
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