This volume discusses the role of humans in transforming the coastal landscape. The book details the many ways beaches and dunes are eliminated, altered and replaced and the differences between natural landforms and the human artefacts that replace them. Emphasis is placed on the importance of retaining naturally functioning beaches and dunes in ways that achieve natural values while accommodating development and use. The issues dealt with in this book will be of interest to practising coastal engineers and research scientists, as well as to planners and managers of coastal resources at all levels of government. It will be of particular value to investigators planning for the future of coastal development under accelerated sea level rise. The book will also be useful as a reference text for graduate and advanced undergraduate courses in geography, geology, ecology and other disciplines dealing with the interaction between science, technology and society.
This new edition - now with Nancy Jackson as a co-author - continues the themes of the first edition: the need to restore the biodiversity, ecosystem health, and ecosystem services provided by coastal landforms and habitats, especially in the light of climate change. The second edition reports on progress made on practices identified in the first edition, presents additional case studies, and addresses new and emerging issues. It analyzes the tradeoffs involved in restoring beaches and dunes - especially on developed coasts - the most effective approaches to use, and how stakeholders can play an active role. The concept of restoration is broad, and includes physical, ecological, economic, social, and ethical principles and ideals. The book will be valuable for coastal scientists, engineers, planners, and managers, as well as shorefront residents. It will also serve as a useful supplementary reference textbook in courses dealing with issues of coastal management and ecology.
This book analyzes the tradeoffs involved in restoring beaches and dunes on intensively developed coasts, the most effective approaches to use, and the ways to educate and involve stakeholders. It identifies restoration strategies that enhance natural processes and make coastal landforms more dynamic while maintaining their value for shore protection. In addition to ecological values, the concept of restoration is expanded to include physical, economic, social and ethical principles. Compromise management solutions are suggested to accommodate the needs of different user groups, including municipal managers and individual property owners. The means of overcoming inertia or antagonism to environmentally friendly actions are also discussed. The book is written for coastal scientists, engineers, planners and managers, and serves as a useful supplementary reference text for courses in coastal management, ecology and environmental ethics.
This volume in the Living with the Shore series provides practical and specific information on the status of the nation’s coast and useful guidelines that enable residents, visitors, and investors to
