442
It separates land life from water borne life but amphibians living both environments. Some of the marine organisms move towards estuary for reproduction with
less water salinity. The coastline as such is not a stable. It fluctuates in place over
considerable distances due to erosion and sedimentation, but also due to the relative
change of sea level with respect to land. The coastal zone is thus a very mobile part
of the earth from a geographical point of view. Due to its specific geophysical properties, the coast is also a very important area for the development of flora and fauna.
There is hardly any other part of the world that houses such a variety of species,
both in flora and fauna. The abundance of opportunities along the coast has also
attracted a lot of human activities. The coastal zone has become an indispensable
resource for mankind.
It provides excellent opportunities for fisheries, housing, recreation, transport,
defense purpose, industrial activities and many others. The influx of man with their
social and economic activities, their needs for safe housing, food, drinking water,
and with the tremendous quantities of waste they are producing poses at the same
time a serious threat to the unique features of the coastal zone. It is therefore necessary to study this valuable region so as to prevent that competing activities are gradually causing depletion of the resources in the coastline.
Fig. 14.4 Typical oceans and seas
Fig. 14.5 Typical coastal area of rocky and sandy coasts
R. Manivanan
It separates land life from water borne life but amphibians living both environments. Some of the marine organisms move towards estuary for reproduction with
less water salinity. The coastline as such is not a stable. It fluctuates in place over
considerable distances due to erosion and sedimentation, but also due to the relative
change of sea level with respect to land. The coastal zone is thus a very mobile part
of the earth from a geographical point of view. Due to its specific geophysical properties, the coast is also a very important area for the development of flora and fauna.
There is hardly any other part of the world that houses such a variety of species,
both in flora and fauna. The abundance of opportunities along the coast has also
attracted a lot of human activities. The coastal zone has become an indispensable
resource for mankind.
It provides excellent opportunities for fisheries, housing, recreation, transport,
defense purpose, industrial activities and many others. The influx of man with their
social and economic activities, their needs for safe housing, food, drinking water,
and with the tremendous quantities of waste they are producing poses at the same
time a serious threat to the unique features of the coastal zone. It is therefore necessary to study this valuable region so as to prevent that competing activities are gradually causing depletion of the resources in the coastline.
Fig. 14.4 Typical oceans and seas
Fig. 14.5 Typical coastal area of rocky and sandy coasts
R. Manivanan