CHAPTER 1
COASTS
Should Coastal
Environments Matter?
CHAPTER 1 COASTS
Should Coastal Environments Matter?
In this Chapter, you will explore three key
questions:
1.How and why are coastal environments
different and dynamic?
2.Why are coastal areas valuable?
3.How can we manage coastal areas in a
sustainable manner?
CHECK-IN: The Coral Triangle
The Coral Triangle spans an area of 6 million square kilometres . It consists of
countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Timor
Leste and the Solomon Islands. 76 per cent of the world’s coral species, 6 out of 7
of the world’s marine turtle species, and at least 2,228 reef fish species live in this
area.
Why is the Coral Triangle important?
The Coral Triangle region is unique not only because of its wildlife and
marine and coastal ecosystems, but also for the benefits the local
communities and governments can gain from the area.
Consider this:
•120 million people are directly sustained by the marine and coastal
resources of the Coral Triangle
•US$2.4 billion is the amount that fisheries in Southeast Asia make from
making use of the coral reef ecosystem
•US$12 billion is the size of the Coral Triangle nature-based tourism
industry
CHAPTER 1 COASTS
Should Coastal Environments Matter?
Gateway 2: Why are coastal areas valuable?
a.
b.
c.
How do coastal ecosystems provide services to
people?
How do people make use of coastal ecosystems for
their own benefit?
What is the value of mangrove & coral reef
ecosystems? What are the pressures on them?
What are coastal ecosystems?
Previously you learnt about…
Different and dynamic coastal environments and coastal
processes which shape coastal landforms.
Within these coastal environments are plant and animal
communities which interact with each other and make up the
coastal ecosystem.
Types of coastal ecosystems
Mangroves
Coral reef
a. How do coastal ecosystems provide services
to people?
Services
Natural resources
(products)
Regulate/Stabilise
shoreline
Cultural services
Supporting other
ecosystems
a. How do coastal ecosystems provide services
to people?
Provisioning services (natural products)
Fish
• Source of seafood
• Source of income
Water
• Sheltered harbours for boats/trading
vessels
• Converted into electrical energy
Wave energy
Mangrove wood
Corals
• Used build boats & houses
• Converted to charcoal
• Converted into ornaments
• Used to make cement
a. How do coastal ecosystems provide services
to people?
Regulating services
•Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jni98YDvf8
•How do you think mangroves help the people living behind
it?
a. How do coastal ecosystems provide services
to people?
Regulating services
•Stabilisation of shoreline:
– coral reef and mangroves as a natural barrier reduces wave
energy impact on shoreline / reduces shoreline erosion
•Coastal flood prevention:
– wide beaches, sand dunes and wetlands disperse water / act
as a barrier / can contain large amount of water
•Protection from natural hazards (storms, typhoons,
tsunamis):
– mangroves absorb wave energy and buffer the impact of
storms
a. How do coastal ecosystems provide services
to people?
A
Cultural services
B
C
a. How do coastal ecosystems provide services
to people?
Supporting services
•They support other ecosystems so that their value to people
increases
Mangroves
Beach
Habitat, nursery,
breeding ground
Habitat, nursery,
breeding ground
Root network offers
protection
Source of food
CHAPTER 1 COASTS
Should Coastal Environments Matter?
Gateway 2: Why are coastal areas valuable?
a.
b.
c.
How do coastal ecosystems provide services to people?
How do people make use of coastal ecosystems for
their own benefit?
What is the value of mangrove & coral reef
ecosystems? What are the pressures on them?
b. How do people make use of coastal
ecosystems for their own benefit?
b. How do people make use of coastal
ecosystems for their own benefit?
• Fish farming takes
place in cages and
ponds close to coasts
• What do the top 6
aquaculture
producers have in
common?
b. How do people make use of coastal
ecosystems for their own benefit?
Ca Mau, Vietnam – shrimp production
• Coastal mangroves which are waterlogged are
favourable for shrimp production – therefore cleared
for shrimp farms
– What are the effects of this action?
• Mud and concrete ponds have replaced the
mangrove shrimp ponds
• New alternative: organic shrimp farming must grow
in mangrove forest & in a balanced ecosystem
b. How do people make use of coastal
ecosystems for their own benefit?
• Coastal area used to build houses
• Water as a means of transport
• Kukup, Malaysia – stilt house communities
b. How do people make use of coastal
ecosystems for their own benefit?
Kukup, Malaysia
•Stilt house communities
– Air Masin, a village within Kukup with a community of 180
stilt houses
– Two modes of transport: boats (used by local fisherman)
and scheduled ferry services (used by visitors)
b. How do people make use of coastal
ecosystems for their own benefit?
• What are some recreational and tourism
activities and amenities that can be found
along the coastline?
b. How do people make use of coastal
ecosystems for their own benefit?
Sentosa, Singapore – a
resort island
•Holds two golf courses, a
marina (for boats and
yachts), a residential
area, and an integrated
resort
CHAPTER 1 COASTS
Should Coastal Environments Matter?
Gateway 2: Why are coastal areas valuable?
a.
b.
c.
How do coastal ecosystems provide services to people?
How do people make use of coastal ecosystems for
their own benefit?
What is the value of mangrove & coral reef
ecosystems? What are the pressures on them?
c. What is the value of mangrove & coral reef
ecosystems? What are the pressures on them?
• What are coral reefs / mangroves?
• Where are coral reefs / mangroves found?
(distribution)
• What environmental conditions are essential
for their growth?
• What is the value of coral reefs / mangroves?
• How are coral reefs / mangroves threatened?
(pressures on them)
c. What is the value of mangrove & coral reef
ecosystems? What are the pressures on them?
•
What are coral reefs / mangroves?
Coral reefs
Mangroves
c. What is the value of mangrove & coral reef
ecosystems? What are the pressures on them?
•
What are coral reefs / mangroves?
Coral reefs
Mangroves
Made up of millions of polyps
which leave limestone
skeletons when they die
Provide microscopic algae with
nutrients and CO2
Salt-tolerant tropical / subtropical plants
Found below sea level / on
seabed
Found on sheltered coasts /
tidal mud
Habitat to many plants and
animals
c. What is the value of mangrove & coral reef
ecosystems? What are the pressures on them?
• What are coral reefs / mangroves?
• Where are coral reefs / mangroves found?
(distribution)
• What environmental conditions are essential
for their growth?
• What is the value of coral reefs / mangroves?
• How are coral reefs / mangroves threatened?
(pressures on them)
c. What is the value of mangrove & coral reef
ecosystems? What are the pressures on them?
•
Where are coral reefs / mangroves found
(distribution)?
What is the distribution of coral reefs around the
world?
5.40% 2.50%
Asia and Pacific
region
Africa
7.10%
7.50%
Europe
77.50%
Latin America and
Caribbean
North America
c. What is the value of mangrove & coral reef
ecosystems? What are the pressures on them?
•
Where are coral reefs / mangroves found
(distribution)?
What is the distribution of mangroves around the
world?
c. What is the value of mangrove & coral reef
ecosystems? What are the pressures on them?
•
Where are coral reefs / mangroves found
(distribution)?
Coral reef
Between Tropic of Cancer and
Tropic of Capricorn
Mangroves
Along coasts of countries
between Tropic of Cancer and
Tropic of Capricorn
Concentrated in Southeast Asia Tropical coastlines: Malay
Peninsula, Borneo, northern
Australia
c. What is the value of mangrove & coral reef
ecosystems? What are the pressures on them?
• What are coral reefs / mangroves?
• Where are coral reefs / mangroves found?
(distribution)
• What environmental conditions are essential
for their growth?
• What is the value of coral reefs / mangroves?
• How are coral reefs / mangroves threatened?
(pressures on them)
c. What is the value of mangrove & coral reef
ecosystems? What are the pressures on them?
•
What environmental conditions are essential for
their growth?
• What is the main reason for coral loss?
• What does microscopic algae do for the coral?
• What factor is essential/vital for coral reef to
survive?
• Watch:http://www.youtube.com/watch?=liG_ZV
289VM
c. What is the value of mangrove & coral reef
ecosystems? What are the pressures on them?
•
What environmental conditions are essential for
their growth?
Coral reef
Mangroves
Wave action – destructive
waves destroy corals
Low energy waves
Sediments suffocate corals
Adaptive mangrove features –
aerial and strong roots
Saline environment – high salt
content
Average salinity
Clear water to allow sunlight to Muddy waterlogged land
penetrate / low turbidity to
reduce murkiness
Temperature must be ideal
c. What is the value of mangrove & coral reef
ecosystems? What are the pressures on them?
• What are coral reefs / mangroves?
• Where are coral reefs / mangroves found?
(distribution)
• What environmental conditions are essential
for their growth?
• What is the value of coral reefs / mangroves?
• How are coral reefs / mangroves threatened?
(pressures on them)
c. What is the value of mangrove & coral reef
ecosystems? What are the pressures on them?
•
What is the value of coral reefs / mangroves?
• Why do fishermen clear mangroves?
• Why is it important to restore the mangroves
for the community highlighted in the video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n8wF_H
N6m0&feature=results_video&playnext=1&lis
t=PL8816A31ED654E195
c. What is the value of mangrove & coral reef
ecosystems? What are the pressures on them?
•
What is the value of coral reefs / mangroves?
Coral reef
Mangroves
Habitat to many species of
marine life
Filters sediments washed down
by rivers onto coasts
Protect land mass from coastal
erosion from storms and
typhoons
Protect coastal areas from
erosion by storm waves
Nearby land areas developed as
tourist attractions
Breeding ground and habitat for
a range of marine creatures
Corals used as souvenirs
Wood for fuel and construction
c. What is the value of mangrove & coral reef
ecosystems? What are the pressures on them?
• What are coral reefs / mangroves?
• Where are coral reefs / mangroves found?
(distribution)
• What environmental conditions are essential
for their growth?
• What is the value of coral reefs / mangroves?
• How are coral reefs / mangroves threatened?
(pressures on them)
c. What is the value of mangrove & coral reef
ecosystems? What are the pressures on them?
•
How are coral reefs / mangroves threatened
(pressures on them)?
• Human activities
• Natural processes
What are some causes of destruction of coral reefs?
c. What is the value of mangrove & coral reef
ecosystems? What are the pressures on them?
•
How are coral reefs / mangroves threatened
(pressures on them)?
What are some causes of
destruction of mangrove
forests?
c. What is the value of mangrove & coral reef
ecosystems? What are the pressures on them?
•
How are coral reefs / mangroves threatened
(pressures on them)?
What are some causes of destruction of mangrove forests?
Tropical Mangroves under Threat in Thailand
Mangrove forests are currently among the most threatened habitats in the world and
are disappearing at an accelerated rate. The exposed portions of mangrove roots are
highly susceptible to clogging by crude oil and other pollutants.
Organic wastes (sewage), toxic minerals (heavy metals), organic chemicals (pesticides
and herbicides) suffocate the underwater sections of mangrove. These poisons also
become concentrate within the cellular structure of the plants. Over time, these
environmental stresses can kill large numbers of mangrove trees.
In addition, the charcoal and timber industries have also severely impacted mangrove
forests, as well as the developing tourism industry and other coastal developments.
Finally, the rapidly expanding shrimp aquaculture industry poses a threat to the world's
remaining mangroves. It has been estimated that thousands of hectares of mangrove
forests have been cleared to make room for artificial shrimp ponds.
c. What is the value of mangrove & coral reef
ecosystems? What are the pressures on them?
•
How are coral reefs / mangroves threatened
(pressures on them)?
What are some causes of destruction of mangrove forests?
Tropical Mangroves under Threat in Thailand
Mangrove forests are currently among the most threatened habitats in the world and
are disappearing at an accelerated rate. The exposed portions of mangrove roots are
highly susceptible to clogging by crude oil and other pollutants.
Organic wastes (sewage), toxic minerals (heavy metals), organic chemicals (pesticides
and herbicides) suffocate the underwater sections of mangrove. These poisons also
become concentrate within the cellular structure of the plants. Over time, these
environmental stresses can kill large numbers of mangrove trees.
In addition, the charcoal and timber industries have also severely impacted mangrove
forests, as well as the developing tourism industry and other coastal developments.
Finally, the rapidly expanding shrimp aquaculture industry poses a threat to the world's
remaining mangroves. It has been estimated that thousands of hectares of mangrove
forests have been cleared to make room for artificial shrimp ponds.
CHAPTER 1 COASTS
Should Coastal Environments Matter?
Gateway 2: Why are coastal areas valuable?
a.
b.
c.
How do coastal ecosystems provide services to people?
How do people make use of coastal ecosystems for
their own benefit?
What is the value of mangrove & coral reef
ecosystems? What are the pressures on them?