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 Related Knowledge (49)
 9 SUB-TOPICS:
 Background on Ocean-land Interface Background on Ocean-land Interface
 Coastal Populations and Topology Coastal Populations and Topology
 Coast Types and Processes Coast Types and Processes
 Coral Reefs Coral Reefs
 Deep-Sea Corals Deep-Sea Corals
 Flows Flows
 How Do Stony Corals Grow? How Do Stony Corals Grow?
 River Basins River Basins
 Virtual Office_Deep Sea Corals Planning Meeting Virtual Office_Deep Sea Corals Planning Meeting
 Topic Overview
 ID# : 3518
 Visits: 23210
 Added: 01-Jan-2000
 Updated: 17-Jan-2011
  E-Mail Topic link
 Editors
 John Everett
 Frances B. Michaelis
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Coasts and Coral Reefs Maintained by FAO-FI  
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Home for Two-Thirds of World Population
 
The sea can have such a powerful influence on coastal communities that local people may know more about the immediate seabed offshore than the land that ranges behind them. ".. Whereas I can name a hundred or more subsea features around Fogo Island", says Newfoundlander Leslie Harris, "I cannot name more than ten hills or prominent features of the interior".

About 60 percent of the world population lives within 60 kilometres of the coast. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), this proportion will rise to 75 percent within two decades. The continental shelf is where over 80 percent of all ocean resources are concentrated. Of the world's 23 mega-cities (those with over 2.5 million inhabitants), 16 are in the coastal belt and are growing at a rate of about one million people per day. These cities almost always grew up because of a sheltered harbour for ships seeking trade, searching for resources, or providing a "relief valve for overpopulation." Coastal cities often provide access to and from the interior through a major river system, and to plentiful sources of animal protein in the seas. Nowadays, the coasts are a powerful magnet for tourism, the world's top growth industry. (Text courtesy of UNESCO)   See More...
Photo credit: NOAA
 
Sea Level Rise
 
If global temperature continues to increase, scientists predict a parallel rise in sea level. This is partly due to an increased rate of melting of polar ice-caps, partly to the fact that water expands as it warms - and so sea level goes up. The critical question is by how much?

Ever since the end of the last ice age, the sea has been rising, some 1-2 mm per year in the last century or so. Some times it has been much faster as thick ice has slid off land into the sea. Even at the the current rate, there is constant pressure on coral reefs to keep pace and nesting beaches continue to get narrower, wherever they are not taken away completely by human activities. (Text courtesy of UNESCO)   See More...
Photo credit: NOAA
 
 
 
 
All   (49) News   (12) Events   (3) Websites   (16) Documents   (9) Books   (6) Multimedia   (3)
  16 Websites 
  
Progress in restoring the Klamath River Basin, Oregon and California (USA) and its historic salmonid fisheries. A cooperative effort between native Americans, commercial and recreational fishers. Activities in the Klamath River Basin Progress in restoring the Klamath River Basin, Oregon and California (USA) and ...  
Information on U.S. estuaries American Oceans Campaign Information on U.S. estuaries 
CEFAS is an internationally renowned scientific research and advisory centre working in fisheries management, environmental protection and aquaculture. CEFAS - The UK Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science CEFAS is an internationally renowned scientific research and advisory centre wo...  
An overview of Climate Change and the Great Barrier Reef Climate Change and the Great Barrier Reef An overview of Climate Change and the Great Barrier Reef 
The collaboration of national and local groups to protect and study estuaries Estuary-Net Project The collaboration of national and local groups to protect and study estuaries...  
a dedicated sub website of APFIC dedicated to the Tsunami FAO Asia Pacific Fisheries Commission information on the Tsunami a dedicated sub website of APFIC dedicated to the Tsunami 
Society to protect threatened estuaries, shores and coastal waters of Nelson Haven & Tasman Bay Friends of Nelson Haven & Tasman Bay Inc. Society to protect threatened estuaries, shores and coastal waters of Nelson Ha...  
The CID provides access to Web, library, and data resources relevant to USA coastal issues. NOAA Coastal Information Directory (CID) The CID provides access to Web, library, and data resources relevant to USA coa...  
Information on the protection and study of U.S. estuarine reserves NOAA National Estuarine Research Reserve System Information on the protection and study of U.S. estuarine reserves 
Information and links to the 13 U.S. marine sanctuaries NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries Information and links to the 13 U.S. marine sanctuaries 
AOML Coastal Research is important in assessing the current and future affect of human activities on our coastal to deep ocean and atmospheric environments. NOAA's AOML Coastal and Regional Research AOML Coastal Research is important in assessing the current and future affect o...  
NOAA/NOS Publication List NOAA/NOS Publication List NOAA/NOS Publication List 
NOAA's approach to Ecosystem Science NOAA/NOS site on coastal ecosystem science NOAA's approach to Ecosystem Science 
A single point of access to NOAA coral reef information and data products NOAA’s Comprehensive Web Site on Coral Reefs A single point of access to NOAA coral reef information and data products...  
The NOS Data Explorer serves as a portal to obtain NOS spatial data. NOS Data Explorer The NOS Data Explorer serves as a portal to obtain NOS spatial data. 
Alliance between regional, coastal, and local organizations that focuses on the protection of U.S. estuaries Restore America's Estuaries Alliance between regional, coastal, and local organizations that focuses on the...  
979 Topics - 5229 Related Knowledge - 11257 Members - 47 Editors
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