The State of Coastal Process - Essay Example

"The current of coastal process research and the drivers for the future" This paper encompasses a discussion of the of coastal process research. More specifically the paper investigates the state of coastal research and examines what the driver for the future are. Coastal processes are defined and explained and the current research is then examined and the drivers for future research. INTRODUCTION: This paper is concerned with coastal systems and the state of current and future research regarding coastal processes. Coastal process can be defined as anything concerning the coast. This is a complex system that encompasses the ocean, the beach and even the sand and stones of these areas. The coastal system is a large process that revolves anything in or around coastal areas. The coast is the part of the land adjoining or near the ocean. A coastline is properly, a line on a map indicating the disposition of a coast but the word is often used to refer to the coast itself. According to Carter " the definition of a coast is something being on, near or having to do with a coast". The beach is a large protion of this system. The beach can be defined as the zone above the water line at a shore of a body of water. A beach is discernible because of the accumulation of stone, sand and/or gravel that the tide or waves deposited. The conern of thi paper is the current and future state of research regarding coastal systems. This largely due to the enviornmental issues that the coastal sytem must face. both natural and manmade. It is important to keep in mind that when referring to the coast it should be thought of as a very specific definitioncoast is a very specific efinition. When using the word coast it should only be used when it is applied to the part of an island or a continent that borders an ocean or its saltwater tributatires. (Carter 1988) There are different kinds of coasts that can be referred to. One of these is a pelagic coast. A pelagic coast is a coast which fronts the open ocean. A pelagic coast differs from a coat that I more sheltered such as in a gul or a bay. Do not confuse a coast with a shore. A shore refers to areas of the land which are connected to any large body of water. A shore includes oceans and is called a sea shore, and a shore can adjoin with a lake then it is called a lakeshore. When referring to a river it is is called a bank rather than a coast or a shore. . However, this discussion I concerned only with coastal systems. RECENT PAST &CURENT RESEARCH: Coastal systems are of interest throughout the world. New observation and coastal research centres are being implemented in the United Kingdom (UK) as well as all through the world. This is because there is great interest in the status of the coastal systems due to environmental reasons and because all there is to be known about the coastal process is now known. While there is a great deal of data, available, everyday researchers and scientists find new information that will help in the field of coastal systems science. The new centres and programs that are being installed throughout the world, as well as the ones that currently exist, are being implemented to supply the data and knowledge necessary to forecast physical, chemical and biological changes that occur in coastal and open-ocean ecosystems. (Gubbay 1990) Current research has advanced the instrumentation, communications and modelling capabilities for coastal systems research. These advances have led to the advancement in prediction systems for the coastal areas of the world. These prediction capabilities are important because if success the prediction system will be able to predict certain phenomena-or predict it more accurately. This coastal phenomenon includes flooding and coastal erosion, oxygen depletion due to eutrophication and other potentially harmful to the coastal systems phenomena. (Gubbay 1990) In 1998 a series of studies conducted by Coastal Research of Plymouth, UK revealed new information about open sea tidal turbine. . The results of their studies revealed that there the channel between Foreland Ledge and Foreland Point on the North Devon coast near Plymouth. According to Coastal search, "this section of water has tidal streams in excess of 5 knots at Spring tides. Since 1998 IT Power has been involved in developing the turbine technologies to harness this power and convert it to electricity, building on its long experience of rugged intermediate technologies. "(Coastal Research 2005) In March 2000 the Exmoor National Park Authority gave approval for electric cabling to be led back to the coastline. In the spring of 2003 due to this research the world's first open sea tidal turbine was put into operation/ The turbine is located just off Foreland Point at Latitude 51 degrees 15.3 minutes North, Longitude 3 degrees 47.5 minutes West. There is future plans for these turbines. The one just discussed is still in its final development stages. There are future plans to expand the technology to other coastal regions in the world, especially in remote communities and islands. Much of the coastal systems research that is conducted is focused more on environmental issues than technological ones as the research that have been presented thus far does. There is a focus on natural environmental phenomena and of course, manmade problems. These include erosion, oil spills and pollution. At the center for Coastal Environmental Health and Bimolecular Research (CEHBR) they have a program dedicated to coastal ecosystems. The research focus areas of (CEHBR) include baseline characterizations and long-term monitoring of ecological conditions in strategic coastal areas. Some of these areas include National Marine Sanctuaries, coral reefs, estuaries, and coastal-ocean ecosystems. Another significant part of their research program is dedicated to the development of indicators for assessing and mitigating risks of biological effects from sediment-associated streshores . There are special studies being conucted to determine effects of human and natural stressors on critical coastal and associated fauna.This is an area of concern for all those interested in the Coastal System's ecosystem not just (CEHBR) Most current coastal process research is dedicated to the ecosystem of the coastal system. This type of research is being conducted domestically and worldwide. These researchers are endeavoring to develop indicators and other diagnostic tools for assessing and predicting biological responses to human and natural stressors in coastal sediments. ((Beatley) The (CEHBR) have many diufferent oastal process programs they are rrently conducting. These including conducting baseline characterizations of ecological condition in strategic coastal areas (e.g., marine protected areas and other areas of special interest where such information is lacking). Other current research being carried out is on integrative enrironmental monitoring. This branh of reserch included using multiple indicators, to assess patterns in benthic habitat quality on local to national scales and to determine the extent to which biological impacts are related to natural versus anthropogenic stressors (Gabby)Provide opportunities for field validation of sediment quality based on indicator predictions. Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) is an accepted element of planning and management in many maritime countries. To date, however, this does not appear to be the case in the UK. (Gubbay 2000) The development and implementation of most ideas and actions on ICM in the UK have been on voluntary basis, through non-statutory plans and programmes. National guidance has generally been sectoral, and most ICM initiatives have been funded as short-term "projects" rather than being seen as part of the effective functioning of the day-to-day activities of government and coastal users at national, regional and local levels. (European Commission) The completion of a European Demonstration Programme on ICM, publication of ideas for a European Coastal Strategy, and a recommendation from the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers on ICM in Europe, have created fresh momentum to address the issue in the UK. (DoE 1996) According to Gabby, "this is most apparent in the recently published UK Marine Stewardship Report, which sets out the need to develop a new, shared vision for the future of coastal areas and coastal strategies for each of the national administrations." (Gabby 1990) The Wildlife Trusts and WWF have had a long-standing interest in ICM and wish to encourage its adoption and implementation in the UK. This report has been prepared as a contribution to that process with the recent developments at European and national level in mind. (Country Eide Council of Wales 2001) The particular objectives of the following reports to be discussed are to 1 provide a combination of how the devolved governments and English regions are proposing to or are already implementing ICM and the principles of ICM as identified in the European Strategy and as reflected in the UK Marine Stewardship Report. After the reports on coastal processes have been discussed the objective is to be able to 2 identify which, if any, of the principles of ICM in the European Recommendation and Marine Stewardship are not currently being promoted by the devolved governments and English regions. This is important because they are part of the coastal system and are important to the preservation of it and a large amount of the research being conducted on the coastal process. The different organizations are important because they must work together, share their research and collaborate on future projects. The policies and data collected from these organizations are relevant to both the current and future trends in coastal processes research. This paper is also concerned with what drives the current and future research in coastal systems. The answer to the largest portion of that question is the environment. Environmental concerns motivate the research that has been conducted in the past and certainly fuels future projects. (Local Government Association 2000 p 30) Many of the coastal research programs are concerned with eniornmental factors and their significance to the coastal processes. The Division of Science Research and Technology's 2004-2005 agenda highlights include enviornmental issue. This department is located in New Jersey in the USA but coastal systems affect the entire world so the work being done around the world is significant to coastal systems throughout the world. The agenda at the Division of Science Research and Technology includes the following enviornmental issues: Coastal Water and Air Quality. This research is concerned with air deposition of toxics and nutrients, stressor indicators, identification of major chemicals of concern, and harmful algal blooms. Also included in their agenda highlights are ecosystems, biodiversity, habitat and living resources In addition to coastal Biocomplexity. Coastal biocomplexity studies include the habitat and living resources of the coastal system and population dynamics. In addition to the above research priorities for the present and into the future climate change and coastal hazard, coastal sediment and improved stormwater modelling and flood hazard analysis are important matters on the agenda. In addition to these research projects being conducted by the Division of Science Research and Technology in the United States there are priority projects that are being inducted and implemented for the future throughout the world. These include developing a standard GIS-based mapping system for commercial species, rare and endangered species, coastal benthic communities, and/or submerged aquatic vegetation. The seasonal mapping should include all relevant chemical, physical, and geological environmental parameters. Other future research concerns evaluating existing datasets to determine trends over many years to better understand the ecosystem and assess the effectiveness of management techniques on ecosystems. Another research priority is determining linkages between the occurrence of HAB species and human activities by assessing relationships between environmental factors and human activities. (Division of Research and Technology 2004) It is obvious that the trend for future coastal systems research is largely dedicated to enviornmental issues within the process. "The Shore Protection Manual" published by U S. Army Coastal Engineering Research in 2002 outlines coastal process problems for the present and the future and emphasizes preventive measures to help save the coastal process worldwide. It is no longer a question of what some of the coastal system problems are rather most research efforts are on damaging effects that nature and mankind are having on the coastal ecosystems of the world. Reeve, Chadwick and Fleming have pointed out That the stressors to coastal systems include "climate change, extreme events (such as the recent tsunami) harmful algal bloom and marine biotoxins" (p 461) Also included in the list of stressors to the coastal process are invasive species (including man), Coastal ecology or the lack of will result in serious damage and alterations to the coastal systems. ((European Commission 2002) Pollution is another major stressor and needs to be controlled to preserve the integrity of coastal systems everywhere. According to Wright, "The effects of global change and regional human activities have been and are likely to continue to be especially pronounced in the coastal zone. " (2004) In Wright's report on the condition of the coastal process he points out how many countries GNP depends upon businesss from coastal areas and regions. Masselink and Hughes continue by explaining, "The recent history of environmental change in this transition region between land and sea is characterized by losses of habitat, increased contamination by industrial and agricultural chemicals, excessive nutrient enrichment, and declines in living resources. These and other changes are likely to continue at accelerating rates in the absence of comprehensive environmental strategies based on the predictive understanding of coastal ecosystems". Damage or unnatural change to the coastal systems has a negative effect on economies worldwide, on the habitat and the overall wellbeing of the earth's eco system. It is important that future trends in coastal process studies and research remain focused on enviornmental issues. The European Commission is dedicated to this cause along with a plethora of other organizations in Britain and the United Kingdom. In the United States, "government agencies have responded by planning and implementing major new research initiatives that have generated an increase in research activity and will require dramatic future increases to achieve their collective goals. Examples include interdisciplinary programs such as the Land-Margin Ecosystem Research (LMER)" (Wright 2004) The coastal zone is a region of transition characterized by high levels of variability over a broad spectrum of scales in time and space. Current deficiencies and projected needs underscore the importance of spatially synoptic observations, time-series, interdisciplinary process studies, and information management. (European Commission 2005) Given the interplay between temporal and spatial variability, spatially synoptic visualizations and high-resolution time series over extended periods are required to detect and document short-term, high-energy events; establish spatial pattern and temporal trends; and validate model predictions Interdisciplinary, process studies reveal causal relations and are fundamental to understanding how changes in the structure of systems are related to their functions (e.g. relationships among coastal eutrophication, changes in community structure, fisheries, and the role of coastal systems in the global carbon budget). Finally, data management from acquisition, archiving and integration to visualization, interpretation and dissemination, is the primary limiting step to the formulation of fundamental principles and to the translation of scientific knowledge into a broader societal context(Wright) Encompassing the list of enviornmental concerns regarding the coastal process there has been some discussion regarding vessels used in the coastal regions. These vessels are utilized by armed forces and military organizations throughout the world. In addition fishing boats, luxury boats and other large vessels are having a serious effect on the coastal process. In light of all the aspects discussed thus far in this paper future trend need to remain focused on the following, according to Gubbay and Wright: establish long-term, time-series measurements in estuarine and continental shelf ecosystems (monitoring); conduct interdisciplinary, process studies during all seasons and up to sea state 5; increase access to large (> 200 ft) and intermediate (50 - 200 ft) ships; improve data links between ships and collateral facilities (e.g. moorings, aircraft, satellites); improve interagency coordination of facility development and use, especially ships and moorings; develop regional pools of shared use equipment and calibration facilities; and Develop regional systems for information management and dissemination. (2004) The job of those monitoring the coastal systems past and present need to keep a watchful eye on the future as well. Coastal oceanographers must be able to deal with steep, often abrupt spatial gradients in the properties of interest. In addition, they must be responsive to temporal sequences in an environment where seasonality is significant and responses to episodic events, such as storms, can be dramatic. Ongoing and foreshadowed activities of coastal ocean field research can be broadly grouped into four basic categories: (1) synoptic observations; (2) time series measurements; (3) interdisciplinary studies; and (4) information management and communication. (Wright 2004) Coastal research involves ships, sea-floor observations and some organizations are even utilizing satellites. There is much awareness of the need for future studies along with current research where coastal systems are concerned. The coastal systems are important and when one takes into consideration, how much of the earth these coastal systems affect the future research seems vital, because it is. Each day the research that has been done and will be done in the future becomes more important. The current coastal processes research will help scientists and researchers evaluate what is important for the future and will also help them evaluate what research is highest priority. In respect to research, there is none that is conducted that is constructive and beneficial to the coastal process in some respect. That is event rue if nothing if found because it will help scientists and researchers eliminate spending more time on such an endeavor. There are many involved in the coastal process including coastal engineers, oceanographer, scientists and government organizations. Thee researchers dedicate their work solely to the coasts and hopefully all of their dedication will help the coasts of the present and in the future. The information presented and discussed is not meant to suggest that interest is new to the field of ocean [recesses. It is an area that has always been of interest to scientists and researchers. However, what it is suggesting is that there is a new awareness to coastal systems and the importance of preserving and protecting them. Coastal Research pointed this out in 2005. "The 1990s witnessed a significant increase in popular interest in the US regarding the geography of the world's coastal and marine spaces. Factors motivating this renewed interest included growing public environmental awareness, a decade of unusually severe coastal storms, more frequent reporting of marine pollution hazards, greater knowledge about (and technology for) depleting fishstocks, domestic legislation on coastal zone management and offshore fisheries policies, new opportunities for marine mineral extraction, heightened understanding of the role of marine life in maintaining the global ecosystem, new techniques for undertaking marine exploration, the 1994 activation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, reauthorization of the US Coastal Zone Management Act in 1996, and designation of 1998 as the International Year of the Ocean." (Coastal Research 2005) In conclusion, it can be said that the coastal processes of the world are important and research in all of the areas discussed needs to be conducted. The current and past research is helpful but in order to be aware of the needs of our coastal systems the research must continue. The trends for future research must be constantly accessed and updated and it is a continual process. Just as the tides will always come in the need for constant watch on our coastal systems must continue as well. -References Coastal Research. (2005: "Tidal Power-Devon leads the world" Plymouth, UK. As viewed on the worldwide web at URL http://www.coastres.co.uk/tidalpwr.html Local Government Association (2000) On the Edge - the coastal strategy. Gubbay, Susan. (2002) "Just coasting: An assessment of the commitment of the devolved administrations and the English regions to Integrated Coastal Management" The Wildlife Trusts and WWF. Cleator, B. & Irvine, M. (1995)"A review of legislation relating to the coastal and marine environment in Scotland" Scottish Natural Heritage Review No.30. CoastNET (2000) "Taking Integrated Coastal Management into the 21st Century. A report of the proceedings of the English Coastal Forum, 12-13 October 2000. Countryside Council for Wales (1996)" Seas, Shores and Coastal Areas. Maritime Policy"CCW. DoE (1993)" Coastal Planning and Management: A Review. 'HMSO. Division of Science, Research & Technology. "Coastal Research Agenda (CRA) Highlights" (2004) Coastal Marine Agenda 2004-2005. DoE (1996) 'Coastal Zone Management. Towards Best Practice. A report prepared by Nicholas Pearson Associates for the Department of the Environment. DETR (2000) Research into Integrated Coastal Planning in the North West Region. Government Office for the North West and University of Liverpool. DEFRAY (2002) Safeguarding our Seas. A Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable Development of our Marine Environment. DRD (2001) Shaping our Future. Regional Development Strategy for Northern Ireland 2025. Department for Regional Development, Northern Ireland. DTLR (2002) Your Region, Your Choice. Revitalising the English Regions. White Paper. European Commission (1992) Towards Sustainability. A European Community Programme of Policy and Action in relation to the Environment and Sustainable Development. European Commission (1995) Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the integrated management of coastal zones. COM (95) 511. European Commission (1996) Demonstration Programme on integrated management of coastal zones. Information Document. XI/79/96. Wright, L. "Coastal Oceanography: Future Trends and Vessel Requirements." (2004) Coastal Oceanography Subcommittee. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Carter, R.W.G., 1988. Coastal Environments, Academic Press, 617pp Dean and Dalrymple, 1991. Water Wave mechanics for Engineers and Scientists. World Scientific, Singapore. 353pp Komar, P.D., 1998. Beach Processes and Sedimentation, 2nd Ed., John Wiley & Sons, 544pp Masselink and Hughes, 2003. Introduction to Coastal Processes & Geomorphology. Arnold, London. 354pp Reeve, Chadwick and Fleming, 2004. Coastal Engineering: Processes, Theory and Design Practice. Spon Press. 461pp Shore Protection Manual. 1984. Coastal Engineering Research Centre, U.S. Army Corps Eng., Washington Viles, H. and Spencer, T., 1995. Coastal Problems; Geomorphology, Ecology and Society at the Coast. Arnold, London. 350pp Other Authors/editors Vermaat, Jan. - Title: Managing European coasts: past present and future / - Publisher: Berlin; [Great Britain]: Springer, c2005 Marine environmental management: review of events in 1996 and future... Earll, Robert. - Conference: Marine Environmental Management (4th: 1997) Title: Marine environmental management: review of events in 1996 and future trends; the proceedings of a meeting held on the 22-23rd, January, 1997 / - Publisher: B. Earll, 1997. A future for the coast : Proposals for a U.K. coastal zone management plan... Relevance: Main Author: Gubbay, Susan. Other Authors/editors Marine Conservation Society. World Wide Fund for Nature. Title: A future for the coast : Proposals for a U.K. coastal zone management plan / Publisher: Marine Conservation Society, 1990. An introduction to coastal zone management / Timothy Beatley, David J.... Relevance: Main Author: Beatley, Timothy, Other Authors/editors Brower, David J. Schwab, Anna K. Title: An introduction to coastal zone management / Publisher: Washington, D.C: Island Press, 2002. Coastal Futures 2000: proceedings of Coastal Management for Sustainability... Relevance: Other Authors/editors Earll, Robert. Conference: Coastal Futures 2000 (London. Title: Coastal Futures 2000: proceedings of Coastal Management for Sustainability 2000, review and future trends; the proceedings of a meeting held on February 9th - 10th 2000, London / Publisher: Kempley: Bob Earll, 2000. Review of events in 1997 and future trends: The proceedings of a meeting... Relevance: Other Authors/editors Earll, Robert. Conference: Marine Environmental Management (5th: 1998: London) Title: Review of events in 1997 and future trends: The proceedings of a meeting held on January 21st & 22nd, 1998 London / Publisher: Employ Bob Earll, 1998. Marine environmental management: review of events in 1995 and future... Relevance: Other Authors/editors Earll, Robert. Conference: Marine Environmental Management (3rd: 1996) Title: Marine environmental management: review of events in 1995 and future trends; the proceedings of a meeting held on the 24-25, January, 1996 / Publisher: Kempley, Glos. : Bob Earll, 1996 European experience of low crested structures for coastal management Coastal Engineering, Volume 52, Issues 10-11, November 2005, Pages 841-866 A. Lamberti, R. Archetti, M. Kramer, D. Paphitis, C. Mosso and M. Di Risio Erratum to "Scour around coastal structures: a summary of recent research" [Coastal Eng. 44 (2001) 153-190] Coastal Engineering, Volume 45, Issue 1, March 2002, Page 69 - B. Mutlu Sumer, Richard J. S. Whitehouse and Alf Trum Quadtree grid numerical model of nearshore wave-current interaction - Coastal Engineering, Volume 42, Issue 3, March 2001, Pages 219-239 Koo-Yong Park and Alistair G. L. Borthwick Modelling and numerical simulation of turbulence, waves and suspended sediments for pre-operational use in coastal seas - Coastal Engineering, Volume 41, Issues 1-3, September 2000, Pages 63-93 Helmut Baumert, Georges Chapalain, Hassan Smaoui, Julia P. McManus, Hiroshi Yagi, Matthias Regener, Jrgen Sndermann and Barnabas Szilagy 7-12 September 1992. Second multi-diciplinary symposium on coastal research and coastal management and planning in all of Europe: Bsum, Germany - Coastal Engineering, Volume 16, Issue 2, January 1992, Pages 241-242 Title: Journal of coastal research - Publisher: Coastal Education and Research Foundation - Other Authors/editors Clark, M. W. (Malcolm W.), 1947- Title: Coastal research: UK perspectives; based on a workshop of the Small Study Group on Nearshore Dynamics / Publisher: Geo Books, 1984 The Coastal Zone: Past, Present, and Future - by F John Vernberg, Winona B Vernberg - Science - 2001 - 192 pages Page 174 Future The concept of the MOM system (Modeling Ongrowing fish farms ... Journal of Coastal Research 8 (1991): 301-1 7. Gardner, L., Michener, Dear Customer, I hope you are pleased with the paper. I just wanted to let you know I put a lot of work into it and I hope you like it. I live in the Florida Keys and preserving the coast is part of life down here so it is a subject I am not only very knowledgeable on I have personal interest in it. I also wanted to let you I enjoyed the PowerPoint attachment you sent on Norfolk, it was helpful and interesting. Let me know if you need anything else I will get it done for you much quicker. It is a very buy time for me and since this paper was personally interesting to me-I think its important-I didn't want to rush it. Annie Read More