Coastal-oceans-Online Journals

Coastal Oceans coastal lands, areas where fresh water and salt water mix, and near shore marine areas are among the most productive yet highly threatened systems in the world. These ecosystems produce disproportionately more services relating to human well-being than most other systems, even those covering larger total areas. At the same time, these ecosystems are experiencing some of the most rapid environmental change: approximately 35% of mangrove area has been lost or converted and approximately 20% of coral reefs have been destroyed globally in the last few decades, with more than a further 20% being degraded. Coastal wetland loss in some places has reached 20% annually (high certainty). Coastal systems are experiencing growing population and exploitation pressures; nearly 40% of the people in the world live within 100 kilometers of the coast. Demographic trends suggest coastal populations are increasing rapidly, mostly through migration, increased fertility, and tourist visitation to these areas. Population densities on the coasts are nearly three times that of inland areas. Communities and industries increasingly exploit fisheries, timber, fuelwood, construction materials, oil, natural gas, sand and strategic minerals, and genetic resources.