| Contents Notes |
Introduction: Scope and Objectives of This Book -- Drivers for Changes in the Coastal Zone -- Environment Problems in the Coastal Zone -- Policy for Conservation and Sustainable Development of the Coastal Zone -- Regional Conditions -- Conclusions: The Rapidly Changing Environment of the Asia and Pacific Region and its Implications for Sustainability of the Coastal Zones. The Asia-Pacific region is home to the world's largest region of coral reefs and mangroves. It accommodates two-thirds of the world's human population and its economic activities have the highest growth rate in the world. Ongoing degradation of the environment, resulting from coastal development, deforestation, desertification and over-harvesting, are becoming a matter of great concern, as floods and droughts occur as a result of this degradation. The Asia-Pacific region also includes part of the 'Pacific Rim of Fire' and is, therefore, vulnerable to earthquakes and tsunamis, as the world became aware following the Sumatra earthquake and tsunami on 26 December 2004. Threats of global environmental change, such as climate change and sea-level rise, will exacerbate such problems. Therefore, appropriate policies and measures are needed for coastal management, to address both the local and global trends. This book gives an overview of the state-of-the-art understanding on the drivers, state, and responses to coastal environmental changes in the Asia-Pacific region. It provides excellent perspectives on current and anticipated environmental changes in the region's coastal areas, to researchers, students, policy makers, coastal managers and other stakeholders. Audience: This book will be of interest to researchers of coastal science, undergraduate and graduate students of coastal science, engineering and management, to policy makers, coastal managers and coastal developers, and to the fishing industry. |
