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ICZM W2 - Understanding the coastal env (The Special Nature of Our Coasts…
ICZM W2 - Understanding the coastal env
The Pressures on the Coastal Zone
natural operation of coastal processes
winds and waves move material and affect the landscape
the island move, constantly migrating, usually landward
eg migratory coastal features
inlets; can shift laterally or be closed entirely
coastal storms; hurricanes, nor'easters
can bring high winds and wave surge forceful enough to change coastal topography overnight
unstable areas; barrier island
human interference
hard structures built up along the beach to prevent erosion
groins, jetties
can exacerbate erosion by trapping sand in one area and preventing its natural lateral drift to areas downstream
climate change
sea-level rise
inundation, saline intrusion
habitat loss, altered dist, sediment transport
storm intensity
storm surge
infrstructure damage
sea surface temp
ocean circulation, storminess
algal blooms, coral bleaching
altered rainfall & runoff
erosion & accretion
habitat loss or altered distribution
increased CO2
ocean acidification
physiological changes in marine organisms
heat waves
health impacts, mechanical failure
mortality & morbidity, economic losses
Sustaining the Coast: The Overarching Challenge
The Special Nature of Our Coasts
:
the interface btw land and sea
unique, geologic, ecological, n biological domain of vital importance to astounding array of terrestrial and aquatic life forms including humankind
one of the most productive areas accessible to people
fish, seafood
fulfill the dietary needs of people
fishery and aquaculture
commercial mainstay for 1k of coastal communities
important safety feature for people living near the ocean
provide a barrier from natural hazards emanating from turbulent seas
beaches, dunes, cliffs and barrier islands
act buffer against the high winds and waves associated with coastal storms
recreational aspect
stretches of beach and rocky cliffs
boating, swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing, walking and sunbathing
important benefits
carbon storage
coastal buffering
agriculture
water filtration
wave attenuation
cultural herritage
employment opportunities
opportunities for recreation and enjoyment
biodiversity and habitat
tourism
provides unique habitat for 1k of plant and animal species
the ecosystem is made up of myriad interconnected subsystems whose func cannot be duplicated elsewhere
precisely balanced, fragile areas susceptible to variety of threats including human interference
coastal habitats
wetlands
home to variety of birds, plants, and other biota and also serve the important role of filtering impurities in the water coursing through them
estuaries-unique
provide a nursery area for numerous species of fish
The Rationale for Government Intervention
Each person in our over consumptive society must participate in the change of attitude necessary to achieve development that is truly sustainable.
However, to achieve such an approach, we must overcome the strong aversion in our country to what is often viewed as overly intrusive government action, especially in the area of land use.
Private property rights are deemed almost inviolate
Recognizing that local power generally are insufficient to manage the coastal region effectively, state and federal governments have to some degree stepped in to fill the gap.
The Pressures Exerted by Humans
population density. more people are using a limited resource, the carrying capacity of the region can be exceeded
emanate from the need to be housed, fed, and entertained eg: houses, hotels, condominiums, restaurants, gas station, shopping malls, golf courses, piers, amusement parks.
necessitate infrastructure - roads, bridges, parking lots, sewers
pressure on the env or lead to various negative impacts
waste disposal / dumping grounds for years
hoping the assimilative capacity of the ecosystem would take care of the problem
eg: medical waste washed up on the shores, barges filled with garbage
Public Policy Exacarbates the Pressures
bridges - can open formerly isolated areas (s.a barrier islands) to numbers of people that may exceed the carrying capacity of that particular locale.
sewer systems and municipal wastewater treatment plants - allow the density of coastal populations to increase dramatically
safe transportation routes - paved roads and highways to allow more people access to more coastal areas.
provision of public water supplies - can deplete aquifer reservoirs at a faster rate than they can be replenished
infrastructure - necessity for growth n dev, provided by various levels of gov
The Effects of Human Pressure
areas of the coast experiencing rapid population growth
increases the significance of natural processes
barrier island migration, sea level rise or coastal storms
areas with sensitive coastal resources
wetlands, water bodies, fish, wildlife habitat
destruction or degradation of one component (marine and the terrestrial env) can damage other parts or the ecosystem as a whole. as they are tightly integrated systems in which all parts are interrelated and dependent on each other
prevent the ecosystem from maintaining the equilibrium so necessary to its continued vitality