Integrated Coastal Zones Management - Case Study Example

Integrated coastal management Name Class Unit Introduction A coastal zone is the interface where the land meets the ocean. Coastal zones are some of the areas which are highly exploited worldwide due to rich resources contained. In both developing and the developed countries, coastal zone is one of the areas that will be undergoing major changes in future. Research shows that more than 60 % of the population worldwide are located in an area within 60 km from the coastline (Post, Lundin & Mundial, 1996). Without well instituted management of environment along the coastal areas, conflict over the resource use and space as well as degradation of environment will occur (Beatley, Brower & Schwab, 2002). Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) guidelines were recommended by the United Nations in 1992. The main aim was to minimise the conflicts and ensure sustainable use of the resources in coastal areas (Sharma, 2009). This paper will analyse the theory of integrated coastal management identifying the key issues. The key issues that will be presented are; climate change, population growth, quality of life and probability of hazards. The paper will use examples from different countries to illustrate theories. Need for ICZM In most of the coastal towns, the population living in the coastal zones is almost half. There has been an increase in migration from the inland to the coast. This situation has led to need for mediating the use of the coastal resources and ensuring that there is sustainability. In many countries, there has been pollution of the coastal zones. This is through degradation of fishery, dynamiting of the coral reefs and beaches and pollution from local and upland sources. If the coastal towns are to be restored, a well-coordinated and urgent action is required (Sharma, 2009). This has led to the designing of the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM). ICZM is a governance process which is made up of the both legal and institutional framework required in ensuring that there is development and management of the coastal zones which is well integrated with social and environmental milestones. It also involves participation of those who are affected. The benefits of the coastal zones are maximised through ICZM. It also ensures that the harmful effects on coastal zones are minimised (Clark, 1996). Opportunities from coastal Zones The coastal resources are valuable endowments that are supposed to be managed for sustainability. The zones offer both physical and biological opportunities for human beings. An example is the European countries coastal zone which is highly utilised for recreation. Through ICZM, one is able to find balance which is optimum for a set of objectives. The destruction of natural resources by the human being has led to a lot of concern for coastal ecosystems (Sharma, 2009). The set guidelines by the ICZM lead to emphasize on ensuring that there is sustainable use of the coastal zone while at the same time ensuring that there is maintenance of environment quality. Naturally, the coastal ecosystem ensures that there is balance in stability of the shoreline, replenishment of the beach, recycling and nutrient replenishment (French, 2005). Threats for coastal zones Coastal zones are under an increasing threat from human activities which are unmanaged. This includes pollution, exploitation of resources and destruction of the habitat (Phillips & Jones, 2006). There have been an increase in fishing and farming in the coastal lowlands. These are the economic activities that have been used to supply fish and foodstuffs to those residing in the urban towns. There have also been activities designed to add value to the coastal resources (Sharma, 2009). These activities include tourism and recreation. Cork harbour in Ireland is an example of coastal zone which is highly utilised economically. Apart from recreation, the island is utilised for industries. Coastal areas have been a major source of earnings in the coastal towns. The value of the coastal resources is a major investment for human beings by nature. Thus, the destruction of the coastal resources implies a destruction of an investment. This can be compared to destruction of what the nature have provided freely (Clark, 1996). Population The world population is expected to grow to 8.5 billion by the year 2025. Most of the population growth will occur in the developing countries. At the moment, the population of the people living within 60 km from the coastline have grown to more than 50% of world population. By the end of this century, it is expected that two thirds of the population in developing countries will be living along the coast (Sharma, 2009). This growth in population will bring conflict in resource use, land and water space. The coastal land is in the receiving end of water pollution making it more acutely affected. The problem is made worse by lack of good governance and policies. In some countries, some of the coastal zone areas are privately owned (Godschalk, 2010). When the resources in the coastal areas are depleted, the conflicts may arise which can threaten human life and lead to lack of public order (Post, Lundin & Mundial, 1996). Climate change Human induced global warming has led to climate change and a rise in sea level. This has mostly affected the low lying coastal regions. Due to an increase in surface temperatures brought about by climate change, hurricanes have become more frequent. There has been research which points out acceleration in rise of the sea levels (Post, Lundin & Mundial, 1996). This will be associated with an increase in atmospheric temperatures. The coastal areas are thus at risk of increase in humidity, rising sea levels, salinity and high temperatures. In Germany, the North Sea coast has been under risk of flooding. The use of ICZM has the capability to reduce the effects of global warming and minimise loss of resources and human life (Clark, 1996). This is through managing the development activities that puts human life and coastal resources at risk. Designing ICZM A good ICZM is supposed to suit the given country. In Europe, ICZM have been implemented to cater for the intensive use of their coastal zones (Pickaver, Gilbert & Breton, 2004). This is through addressing the country traditions, culture and economic issues. ICZM is supposed to protect the biological diversity and ensure that there is productivity of the coastal ecosystems (Godschalk, 2010). This is through ensuring that the habitats are not destroyed. It should also ensure that there is rational development and the coastal resources are utilised in a sustainable manner. All policies and goals sets by the ICZM are expected to be easily accessible to the stakeholders and interested citizens of a given country. The most vital area of ICZM is ensuring that there is a strong political understanding and support from the sectors which are concerned in coastal communities (Clark, 1996). Sustainability Sustainable ICZM involves the ability of the ICZM institutions, activities and policies to support conservation and use of marine resources beyond the time for external support. The process initiated by the ICZM is supposed to be sustained and continue indefinitely (Nicholls & Cazenave, 2010). The current usage of the coastal resources threatens their sustainability of marine ecosystem. The coastal community is facing serious problems in ensuring food security due to reliant on coastal resources. Through the use of ICZM, the society is able to align the costal resources use for them to remain productive for future generations (Clark, 1996). Most of the land near the coastal zone is under public ownership. This makes it easy for the governments to manage these areas for the benefits of its citizens. Specialised agencies can also play vital roles in ICZM programs. There are also stakeholders in the coastal areas who are involved in coastal zone activities. The coastal stakeholders play a major role in ensuring the aesthetic and recreational value of the coastal zone is maintained. This makes it prudent to ensure that the stakeholders in the coastal areas are involved in the implementation of ICZM. This group provides much of the needed drive during the implementation phase (Godschalk, 2010). In order to have a successful ICZM program, there is need to change the way in which certain agencies in the government conduct business. This involves making sure there are changes in the way in which coastal resources are managed (Godschalk, 2010). The public should be well informed so that they can support the changes and reduce opposition. In Greece, public awareness has helped a lot in implementing ICZM. This is through carrying out surveys in areas such as Cyprus and determining public attitudes towards ICZM. In Spain, national awareness on protection of coastal zones has been carried out. A team is should be formed to ensure that they undertake the work of ICZM. This is a team that is well versed with coastal zone management, planning, resource management, environmental management and sustainable ecosystem (Clark, 1996). Conclusion Coastal zones are highly exploited in most countries due to the resources they have. The number of human population near the coastal zones has been increasing through migration from the mainland especially in the developing countries. This poses a risk as the coastal zones becomes degraded through human activities. Coastal zones are under threat from increasing human activities which are unmanaged. This includes pollution, exploitation of resources and destruction of the habitat. Through the set guidelines by the ICZM there have been emphasize on ensuring that there is sustainable use of the coastal zone. This is done while ensuring that there is maintenance of environment quality. ICZM is supposed to be developed and implemented to ensure sustainability of the coastal zones. This is through designing an ICZM system that caters for country traditions, culture and economic issues. The implementation should also be carried out by well-informed team members. References Beatley, T., Brower, D., & Schwab, A. K 2002, An introduction to coastal zone management. Island Press. Clark, J.R 1996, Coastal zone management handbook. CRC Lewis Publishers, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. p.694. French, P. W 2005, Coastal zone management. In Encyclopedia of Coastal Science (pp. 313- 319). Springer Netherlands. Godschalk, D. R 2010, Coastal Zone Management. Marine Policy & Economics: A Derivative of the Encyclopedia of Ocean Sciences, 44. Nicholls, R. J., & Cazenave, A 2010, “Sea-level rise and its impact on coastal zones”, science, Vol.328, no.5985, p.1517-1520. Phillips, M. R & Jones, A. L 2006, “Erosion and tourism infrastructure in the coastal zone: Problems, consequences and management”, Tourism Management, Vol.27, no.3, p.517- 524. Pickaver, A. H., Gilbert, C & Breton, F 2004, “An indicator set to measure the progress in the implementation of integrated coastal zone management in Europe”, Ocean & Coastal Management, Vol.47, no.9, p.449-462. Post, J. C., Lundin, C. G & Mundial, B 1996, Guidelines for integrated coastal zone management, Washington, World Bank. Sharma, P 2009, Coastal Zone Management, Global India Publications. Read More

Threats for coastal zones Coastal zones are under an increasing threat from human activities which are unmanaged. This includes pollution, exploitation of resources and destruction of the habitat (Phillips & Jones, 2006). There have been an increase in fishing and farming in the coastal lowlands. These are the economic activities that have been used to supply fish and foodstuffs to those residing in the urban towns. There have also been activities designed to add value to the coastal resources (Sharma, 2009).

These activities include tourism and recreation. Cork harbour in Ireland is an example of coastal zone which is highly utilised economically. Apart from recreation, the island is utilised for industries. Coastal areas have been a major source of earnings in the coastal towns. The value of the coastal resources is a major investment for human beings by nature. Thus, the destruction of the coastal resources implies a destruction of an investment. This can be compared to destruction of what the nature have provided freely (Clark, 1996).

Population The world population is expected to grow to 8.5 billion by the year 2025. Most of the population growth will occur in the developing countries. At the moment, the population of the people living within 60 km from the coastline have grown to more than 50% of world population. By the end of this century, it is expected that two thirds of the population in developing countries will be living along the coast (Sharma, 2009). This growth in population will bring conflict in resource use, land and water space.

The coastal land is in the receiving end of water pollution making it more acutely affected. The problem is made worse by lack of good governance and policies. In some countries, some of the coastal zone areas are privately owned (Godschalk, 2010). When the resources in the coastal areas are depleted, the conflicts may arise which can threaten human life and lead to lack of public order (Post, Lundin & Mundial, 1996). Climate change Human induced global warming has led to climate change and a rise in sea level.

This has mostly affected the low lying coastal regions. Due to an increase in surface temperatures brought about by climate change, hurricanes have become more frequent. There has been research which points out acceleration in rise of the sea levels (Post, Lundin & Mundial, 1996). This will be associated with an increase in atmospheric temperatures. The coastal areas are thus at risk of increase in humidity, rising sea levels, salinity and high temperatures. In Germany, the North Sea coast has been under risk of flooding.

The use of ICZM has the capability to reduce the effects of global warming and minimise loss of resources and human life (Clark, 1996). This is through managing the development activities that puts human life and coastal resources at risk. Designing ICZM A good ICZM is supposed to suit the given country. In Europe, ICZM have been implemented to cater for the intensive use of their coastal zones (Pickaver, Gilbert & Breton, 2004). This is through addressing the country traditions, culture and economic issues.

ICZM is supposed to protect the biological diversity and ensure that there is productivity of the coastal ecosystems (Godschalk, 2010). This is through ensuring that the habitats are not destroyed. It should also ensure that there is rational development and the coastal resources are utilised in a sustainable manner. All policies and goals sets by the ICZM are expected to be easily accessible to the stakeholders and interested citizens of a given country. The most vital area of ICZM is ensuring that there is a strong political understanding and support from the sectors which are concerned in coastal communities (Clark, 1996).

Sustainability Sustainable ICZM involves the ability of the ICZM institutions, activities and policies to support conservation and use of marine resources beyond the time for external support. The process initiated by the ICZM is supposed to be sustained and continue indefinitely (Nicholls & Cazenave, 2010).

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