Coastline Degradation as an Indicator of Global Change

Authors

Robert J. Nicholls, University of SouthamptonFollow
Colin D. Woodroffe, University of WollongongFollow
Virginia R. Burkett, US Geological Survey

RIS ID

114036

Publication Details

Nicholls, R., Woodroffe, C. & Burkett, V. (2016). Coastline Degradation as an Indicator of Global Change. In T. M. Letcher (Ed.), Climate Change: Observed Impacts on Planet Earth (pp. 309-324). Amsterdam: Elsevier.

Additional Publication Information

ISBN: 9780444635242

Abstract

Coastal degradation has been widely reported around the world's coasts. The observed degradation can be attributed to the intensification of a wide range of drivers of coastal change, especially an expanding global population and economy. While climate change and the resulting sea level rise will have important adverse effects, it is more difficult to observe such coastal changes relative to other drivers. The best examples are related to temperature rise at low and high latitudes, as seen by the impacts on coral reefs and polar coasts, respectively. This chapter also considers methods to better attribute the role of observed degradation to climate change and how this would support coastal management.