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.

GESAMP70:2

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.