Includes bibliographical references and index.

Why is there a coastal conflict? -- North Carolina's coastal system -- The ice ages and postglacial sea-level rise -- Storms and coastal systems -- The modern ocean shoreline system -- Formation of the modern coastal system -- What is at risk? -- Human modification of barrier island dynamics -- Adaptation to coastal change -- Concluding thoughts. According to the authors, the North Carolina barrier islands are not permanent. Rather, they are highly mobile piles of sand that are impacted by sea-level rise and major storms and hurricanes. Our present development and management policies for these changing islands are in direct conflict with their natural dynamics. Revealing the urgency of the environmental and economic problems facing coastal North Carolina, this essential book offers a hopeful vision for the coast's future if we are willing to adapt to the barriers' ongoing and natural processes. --from publisher description.