Coastal Environments: Problems and Perspectives display the impact of natural forces and processes on man and also the impact of man on the coastal environment. The exploitation of natural mineral resources, navigation and recreation activities are an integral part of the problems and perspectives of coastal environments. This volume highlights various processes, particularly sediment transport, coastal erosion and its management, landform evolution and resources of the coastal region. The case studies are presented under each section. The availability of comprehensive basic scientific data is vital for effective coastal zone management. There are sixteen papers together on coastal resources, coastal landforms, coastal erosion, sediment transport and dredging and all these add the scientific information for coastal zone management. The last section of the book comprises the papers on application of remote sensing in environmental studies and two assorted papers on surface run-off and flora of Gondwanaland. The causes for coastal erosion, the present scenario of erosion along Kerala and Karnataka coasts and the mitigation procedures have been explained in this book. The utility of seawalls and other protection structures in arresting coastal erosion has been discussed and debated in detail.

Concepts and definitions; Coastal nations and subnational units; Coastal management; Coastal zone and coastal area; Shorelands and coastal uplands; Coastal resources, uses, and environments; Coastal systems; Coastal sectoral management or planning; Integrated planning; Integrated coastal zone management; Ocean management; Differences and commoanalities among coastal nations; Geographic disparities; Coastal resource value; Concentrations of development and population; Coastal orientation; Level of development; Existing or potential government powers in the coastal zone; Evolution of integrated coastal zone management: from concept to practice; Incipient awareness; Growing awareness; National study; New program creation; Program development, implementation, and evaluation; Coastal issues; Need for a global issues index; Impact issues; Hazard issues; Developmental needs; Organizational process problems; National listings; Surveying national issues; Major actors in coastal management; Well organized actors; Less organized actors; Management strategies; Governance arrangements; Program evaluation; Recommendations.

The aim of this book is to provide a comprehensive overview of Coastal Engineering from basic theory to engineering practice. The authors of this book are worldwide authorities in the field. Each chapter deals with an important topic in the field of coastal engineering. The topics are of recent deep concern all over the world motivated by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, 2005 Hurricane Katrina, 2011 Tohoku Earthquake Tsunami and other natural disasters.For proper coastal zone management, a broad range of knowledge is necessary. This book provides a basic understanding of the theories behind the diverse natural phenomena within the coastal areas, such as waves, tsunamis and sediment transport. The book also introduces various coastal conservation technologies such as coastal structures and beach nourishment. Finally, coastal zone management practices in the USA, Europe, and Japan are introduced.Each chapter is self-standing and readers can begin from any topic depending on their interest.

The purpose of this book is to supply the background needed to structure research on estuarine beach resources and provide the basis for a program for informed management. The book is a synthesis of data on physical, biological, and human processes.