Ratan K Datta
Coastal zones contain many of the Earth’s most complex and diverse ecological systems productive in both the biological and economic senses. Coastal region includes inshore waters inter-tidal areas and extensive tracts of contiguous land. Coastal zones are not only economically valuable for fisheries commerce navigation and recreation but also include some of the most ecologically important environments. Regrettably these economic social and environmental benefits are at a risk as the coastal zones are affected by both gradual and recurrent processes such as accretion and erosion and by extreme natural events such as floods hurricanes typhoons tsunamis earthquakes and severe storms. The publication has been presented in four parts namely General Topics on Physical Oceanography; Impect Studies related to Tsunami Tropical Cyclones and Toxic Contamination; General Coastal Management Issues including use of GIS and Remote Sensing Technologies; and Country Reports and Case Studies on Coastal Ecosystem. The material presented in this volume will serve as a valuable reference material for the professionals working in the area of coastal ecosystems and coastal hazards management and will help the developing countries in working out scientific solutions for management of hazards affecting the coastal ecosystems.
