This important book gives an overview of the state-of-the-art understanding on the drivers, state, and responses to the coastal environmental changes in the Asia and Pacific region. It uses the latest data to provide an objective perspective on the problem.

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.

Provides state-of-the-art understanding of the state of the environment Structural approach consisting of drivers, state, and responses to the coastal environmental changes Describes both local and global trends including climate change and sea-level rise Provides an objective basis of the perspective using the latest data Gives good practices to indicate desirable future direction of coastal management for the Asia and Pacific region Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext

Editor is member of:

• American Society of Civil Engineers

• Coastal Education and Research Foundation

• Japanese Society of Civil Engineers

• Japanese Association for Coastal Studies

• Japanese Geomorphologic Union

Editor is active (board) member of:

• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

• International EMECS Center

• Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

• Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy for Global Change

• Global Environmental Change

• Journal of Coastal Change

• Journal of Global Environmental Engineering

Inhalt
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.