Coastal zones are areas of economic importance at the interface of land and water, constantly changing due to natural forces. They are vulnerable to erosion, pollution, and natural hazards. Defining their boundaries is difficult, and overdevelopment has led to environmental degradation. The best way to preserve them is to minimize human contact and development.
A coastal zone can be defined as an area of activity rather than a bounded area. The term refers to a densely populated area of economic importance located at the interface of land and water. These areas change frequently due to chemical, biological and geological attributes.
Coastal zones evolve and arise due to tectonic forces and weather conditions. Indented coastlines with sea cliffs and terraces are known as emerging coastlines. This type of coastline is caused by an uplift of the land from the sea and is created by tectonic forces. A submerged coast consists of gentle sandy shorelines. These coastal areas were created as a result of rising sea levels at the end of the ice ages.
Interactions between the ocean and land cause coastal areas to frequently change geographically. Strong winds and waves along the coast deposit sediments and continuously erode rocks and soils. These areas are also vulnerable to natural hazards, such as hurricanes. While a coastal area can be a risky area to live in, it is also traditionally the most densely populated area in a country.
Administering the defined boundaries of a coastal area is particularly difficult due to the interconnectedness of water and its effects between countries. Many countries consider the end of the continental shelf, or about 650 feet (200 meters), to be their territorial limit. However, placing limits on a coastal area is often ineffective, as water pollution and contamination produced by one country can affect those around it.
Historically, coastal areas have been of utmost importance for human settlement as these areas have facilitated import, export and communications. Continued industrial activity over many years has often led to overdevelopment and environmental degradation. Establishing a coastal zone and reaching agreements on borders and environmental assistance has become a priority in many countries to help preserve the land and oceans.
Coastal erosion is perhaps the main culprit in the shifting and changing of coastal zones. Erosion makes the process of defining these zones even more elusive, as it naturally displaces large amounts of sediment each year. If natural erosion is combined with human activities, such as the extraction of sand from the coast, it can cause a rapid increase in the erosion process.
The landward parts of a coastal area tend to be most affected by habitat loss and degradation. Space-consuming developments in industries, ports, tourism and recreation have often led to damage and destruction of coastal habitats and can interfere with the delicate balance of these areas. Repairing coastal areas appears to be an almost impossible task. Most of the measures taken to correct and stabilize coastal erosion have been harmful and disrupted the natural process of coastal regeneration. Often, the best method of preserving coastal zones is to minimize human contact and development along the coasts and inland.
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