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View Ontology
| Name: | coastal zone |
| Acronym: | |
| Description: | The dynamic nature of the coast makes it difficult to clearly define the coastal zone. Most simply the coast can be thought of as an area of interaction between the land and the ocean. Ketchum (1972) defined the area as:"The band of dry land and adjacent ocean space (water and submerged land) in which terrestrial processes and land uses directly affect oceanic processes and uses, and vice versa."The diversity of features present at the coasts and the range of spatial scales of the interacting systems result in a wide range of different coasts with different evolutions of time. Influences such as river systems, may reach far inland increasing the complexity and scale of the zone. Anthropogenic processes far away from the narrow coast line impact the coastal zone and the adjacent ocean. These issues make it difficult to clearly identify hinterlands and subscribe any subsequent management.Whilst acknowledging a physical coastal zone, the inclusion of ecosystems, resources and human activity within the zone is important. It is the human activities that warrant management. These activities are responsible for disrupting the natural coastal systems. To add to the complexity of this zone, administrative boundaries use arbitrary lines that dissect the zone, often leading to fragmented management. This sectored approach focuses on specific activities such as land use and fisheries, often leading to adverse effects in another sector. |
| Type: | Noun |
| Term is: | Medium, Keyword | | Term has: | | |
