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J.J. Pascual-Fernández and R. Chuenpagdee
the globe. As shown by archeological evidence, early complex cultures and civilizations
emerged along the coasts. In addition, communication and commerce have depended
on sea pathways at least since the appearance of pristine natural states. At present,
these coastal areas are probably more important than ever, as population and economic growth have converged in the last decades, seen in particular in the “Paci fi c
Rim” countries (Lundin and Linden 1993 ) . In densely populated coastal areas, pollution due to waste disposal is one of the main concerns. Organic waste disposal
may increase the relevance of certain algae, transforming the ecosystem with undue
consequences. The increasing incidence of red tides exempli fi es this. Shell fi sh gathering in the affected areas becomes extremely dangerous for human health. Other
target fi sh species may suffer from the same problems. In areas where industrial
development is prominent, chemical pollution may threaten the entire ecosystem,
hindering many human uses of the coasts. In many tropical countries, coastal development involves conversion and clear-cutting of mangrove forests. An estimated
35% of the global mangrove area has been lost since 1980. Mangrove forests consequently constitute the most threatened coastal habitat in the world (Valiela 2006 ) .
Previously, mangroves had generally been considered ‘wasteland,’ with low ecosystem values except for their harvestable products such as wood for charcoal and the
construction of houses and fi shing gear. The conversion of mangrove areas for other
uses was therefore deemed suitable. Loss of mangrove forests, however, has major
negative consequences due to their important ecosystem functions and services, for
example, as habitats and nursery grounds for juvenile fi sh and other living marine
organisms. Mangroves also provide shoreline stabilization and help waste assimilation, thereby mitigating coastal pollution problems. Despite its vast destruction,
the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004 has led to renewed appreciation for the
values of mangroves. Coastal communities in the tsunami affected areas avowed the
importance of mangrove forests in mitigating the devastation.
Coastal Processes Accelerating Changes
In the last decades, coastal areas have been modi fi ed by human activities to the point
that the future of humankind may be threatened. Coastal erosion and displacement,
water and air pollution, disappearance of living marine resources, and degradation of
coastal habitats are all signs of harmful coastal changes brought about by anthropogenic and natural causes. These various coastal processes create tensions and compromise the previous social arrangement and relative ecosystem homeostasis. An
increase in diversity and complexity are likely consequences of these changes,
because the new system elements contain more actors who may not fi t perfectly with
each other. For example, new entrants into the coasts may mean more fi shers with
different gear types, coastal communities with different ethnic groups, and a host of
other coastal stakeholders all relying on the sharing of limited resources and space.
Depending on the relationship, con fl icts among traditional users and new entrants
may arise. Resource and space competition is going to be permanent source of rivalry
J.J. Pascual-Fernández and R. Chuenpagdee
the globe. As shown by archeological evidence, early complex cultures and civilizations
emerged along the coasts. In addition, communication and commerce have depended
on sea pathways at least since the appearance of pristine natural states. At present,
these coastal areas are probably more important than ever, as population and economic growth have converged in the last decades, seen in particular in the “Paci fi c
Rim” countries (Lundin and Linden 1993 ) . In densely populated coastal areas, pollution due to waste disposal is one of the main concerns. Organic waste disposal
may increase the relevance of certain algae, transforming the ecosystem with undue
consequences. The increasing incidence of red tides exempli fi es this. Shell fi sh gathering in the affected areas becomes extremely dangerous for human health. Other
target fi sh species may suffer from the same problems. In areas where industrial
development is prominent, chemical pollution may threaten the entire ecosystem,
hindering many human uses of the coasts. In many tropical countries, coastal development involves conversion and clear-cutting of mangrove forests. An estimated
35% of the global mangrove area has been lost since 1980. Mangrove forests consequently constitute the most threatened coastal habitat in the world (Valiela 2006 ) .
Previously, mangroves had generally been considered ‘wasteland,’ with low ecosystem values except for their harvestable products such as wood for charcoal and the
construction of houses and fi shing gear. The conversion of mangrove areas for other
uses was therefore deemed suitable. Loss of mangrove forests, however, has major
negative consequences due to their important ecosystem functions and services, for
example, as habitats and nursery grounds for juvenile fi sh and other living marine
organisms. Mangroves also provide shoreline stabilization and help waste assimilation, thereby mitigating coastal pollution problems. Despite its vast destruction,
the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004 has led to renewed appreciation for the
values of mangroves. Coastal communities in the tsunami affected areas avowed the
importance of mangrove forests in mitigating the devastation.
Coastal Processes Accelerating Changes
In the last decades, coastal areas have been modi fi ed by human activities to the point
that the future of humankind may be threatened. Coastal erosion and displacement,
water and air pollution, disappearance of living marine resources, and degradation of
coastal habitats are all signs of harmful coastal changes brought about by anthropogenic and natural causes. These various coastal processes create tensions and compromise the previous social arrangement and relative ecosystem homeostasis. An
increase in diversity and complexity are likely consequences of these changes,
because the new system elements contain more actors who may not fi t perfectly with
each other. For example, new entrants into the coasts may mean more fi shers with
different gear types, coastal communities with different ethnic groups, and a host of
other coastal stakeholders all relying on the sharing of limited resources and space.
Depending on the relationship, con fl icts among traditional users and new entrants
may arise. Resource and space competition is going to be permanent source of rivalry