The coastal zone, where terrestrial environments meet the ocean, consists of a remarkably diverse set of habitats including rocky shores, sandy beaches, salt marshes, bays and estuaries that harbor an equally diverse set of microbes, plants and animals comprising some of the most unique ecosystems in the world. Coastal aquatic ecosystems are among the earth’s most important sources of biodiversity and biomass production including food and other natural products that benefit humanity. Coastal resources contribute over a hundred billion dollars annually to the U.S. economy (1). More than 50% of the U.S. population lives in coastal zones where urban sprawl is consuming land three to four times faster than the rate of population growth (2). Most megacities of the world are either on or close to a coastline. Over half of the world’s population lives within 200 kms of a coastline. The earth’s coastal zones are now among the world’s habitats most impacted and threatened by human activities (3).
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)—a U.S. federal agency focused on the condition of the oceans and the atmosphere—documents how coastal and marine habitats around the U.S. are threatened by loss and degradation: (a) less than 49% of the 221 million acres of wetlands estimated to have existed in the contiguous United States at the time of European arrival are still intact; (b) natural, non-armored shorelines in coastal areas have decreased by up to 60 percent on the Pacific Coast since the early-1990s; and (c) a net loss of coastal habitat continues due to rapid population growth and new development—despite regulations such as the Clean Water Act. Moreover, the loss and degradation of these habitats, NOAA points out, is the result of various human activities, including:
There is rising concern that global climate change may be exacerbating the kinds of human impacts noted above. Concern about climate change is complicated and touches on a range of interlocking issues involving, among other things, the frequency, location and magnitude of hurricanes, droughts, wildfires, floods and sea-level rise all of which impact coastal zones (4,5).
Research questions include:
(1)What challenges are associated with the coastal environment and what are the primary causes? (i.e. sea level rise, habitat loss, vulnerability of urban areas to extreme weather events, stormwater run-off, unsustainable fishing practices)
(2) What new technological opportunities does the coastal environment provide? (i.e. energy conservation (salt-water cooling, sea breeze for natural ventilation), water availability (desalination)).
Sources:
(1) Kleppel, G. S., DeVoe, M. R. and Rawson, M. V. (2006) Changing land use patterns in the coastal zone : managing environmental quality in rapidly developing regions, Springer, New York.
(2) Scott, G. I., Holland, F. and Sandifer, P. A. (2006) Managing coastal urbanization and development in the twenty-first century: The need for a new paradigm, In Changing land use patterns in the coastal zone : managing environmental quality in rapidly developing regions(Eds, Kleppel, G. S., DeVoe, M. R. and Rawson, M. V.) Springer, New York, pp. 285-295.
(3) Beatley, T., Brower, D. J. and Schwab, A. K. (2002) An introduction to coastal zone management, Island Press, Washington, DC.
(4) McGranahan, G., Balk, D. and Anderson, B. (2007) The rising tide: assessing the risks of climate change and human settlements in low elevation coastal zones, Environment and Urbanization, 19, 17-37.
(5) De Sherbinin, A., Schiller, A. and Pulsipher, A. (2007) The vulnerability of global cities to climate hazards, Environment and Urbanization, 19, 39-64.
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