Monitoring

Threats to coastal ecosystems

Major threats to coastal ecosystems from human activities as identified by UN marine scientists:
 
  • Coral reefs -- eutrophication, sediments, overfishing, destructive fishing, reef mining, the aquarium and curio trade, diseases.
  • Wetlands -- reclamation and development, including landfills.
  • Seagrass beds -- siltation, coastal development, eutrophication, physical disturbance. Coastal lagoons -- reclamation, pollution.
  • Mangroves -- excessive exploitation, clearing for reclamation, development and aquaculture.
  • Shorelines -- development, modification of habitats, erosion.
  • Watersheds -- deforestation, soil erosion, pollution, loss of habitats.
  • Estuaries -- reduced water flows, siltation, pollution.
  • Small islands -- changes in sea-level, waste management, pollution.
  • Continental shelves -- pollution, fishing, dredging, navigation.
  • Semi-enclosed seas -- pollution, coastal development, fishing.
 
GESAMP (IMO/FAO/UNESCO-IOC/WMO/WHO/IAEA/UN/UNEP Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection). 2001. A sea of troubles. Rep. Stud. GESAMP No. 70, 35 pp. ISBN 82-7701-010-9
 

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