Coastal Wetlands: Alteration and Remediation

Coastal Wetlands: Alteration and Remediation
Author: Charles W. Finkl
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 879
Release: 2017-07-18
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3319561790

This book delves into human-induced and natural impacts on coastal wetlands, intended or otherwise, through a series of vignettes that elucidate the environmental insults and efforts at amelioration and remediation. The alteration, and subsequent restoration, of wetland habitats remain key issues among coastal scientists. These topics are introduced through case studies and pilot programs that are designed to better understand the best practices of trying to save what is left of these fragile ecosystems. Local approaches, as well as national and international efforts to restore the functionality of marsh systems are summarily approached and evaluated by their efficacy in producing resilient reclamations in terms of climate-smart habitat conservation. The outlook of this work is global in extent and local by intent. Included here in summarized form are professional opinions of experts in the field that investigate the crux of the matter, which proves to be human pressure on coastal wetland environments. Even though conservation and preservation of these delicate environmental systems may be coming at a later date, many multi-pronged approaches show promise through advances in education, litigation, and engineering to achieve sustainable coastal systems. The examples in this book are not only of interest to those working exclusively with coastal wetlands, but also to those working to protect the surrounding coastal areas of all types.

Tourism and Environment

Tourism and Environment
Author: F. D. Pineda
Publisher: WIT Press
Total Pages: 165
Release: 2013-10-16
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1845648080

The contributions contained in this volume deal with two perspectives of ‘tourism and environment'; the 'role of the environment in tourism' and ‘environmental tourism'. The same message would be expected in both cases. The environment comprises the set of biophysical and cultural events surrounding us and influences the activities developed depending on time and site. Among the environmental characteristics of a region, climate is usually the most relevant and conditions almost all other components. Climate defines much of the natural, as well as the urban cultural landscape and the countryside of an area. Seasonal environmental change affects the life and culture of each place and largely explains the choice of destination of travellers. Environment and landscape therefore give rise to an interesting and varying relationship over the year. Thus, coastal landscapes are not inherently more beautiful in summer than in other seasons but environmental conditions cause a greater demand in this season. Certain places in the world captivate visitors who flock to them in large numbers. Local people recognize the benefit of this, employers become interested in the economic aspects and so the tourism infrastructure develops. The appeal of ‘good climate' has led to a change from a rural subsistence culture to a lucrative services economy in some areas. Unfortunately however in many cases short-sightedness and corruption can lead to the ruin of the natural landscape. Situations like this are now common throughout the world due to the environmental mismanagement of tourism. Local populations within emerging tourism-based economies should learn this lesson. The papers included in this volume address important issues related to tourism and the environment and offer a better understanding of some of the current challenges.

Coastal Processes II

Coastal Processes II
Author: G. Benassai
Publisher: WIT Press
Total Pages: 369
Release: 2011
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1845645340

Following on the success of the first conference, the Wessex Institute of Technology is convening the Second International Conference on Physical Coastal Processes, Management and Engineering. This book contains papers to be presented at that Conference. Coastal zone dynamics involve distinctive features that stem from both near shore hydrodynamics, and the complex local behaviour of the atmosphere that is affected by the irregularity of the coastal topography and variations in land sea surface roughness and thermal properties. Complex interactions occur between the atmosphere, ocean and land, leading to large temporal and spatial differences in air-sea exchange processes and wind strength and direction. Recreational and tourism demand on coastal areas activities makes increased shore and beach protection necessary. Coastlines are often subjected to direct impact of wind, swell and storm wave activity. Many other physical phenomena, such as tides and associated currents, long waves and storm surges, also affect the dynamic behaviour of the coastal zone. With the increase in extreme events due to climate change, the role of extreme events in changing coastal zones needs to be considered. The International Conference will consider also of these and will cover such topics as: Wave modelling; Wave transformation hydrodynamics; Extreme events and sea level rise; Sea defences; Interaction between coastal defences and processes; Energy recovery; Hydrodynamic forces; Sediment transport and erosion; Pollution and dispersion; Planning and beach design; Coastal geomorphology; Coastal processes and navigation; Coastal processes and GIS; Bio-physical coastal processes; and Great Lakes problems. The book will be of interest to engineers and government officials involved with coastal zone management and development

A Political Ecology of Women, Water and Global Environmental Change

A Political Ecology of Women, Water and Global Environmental Change
Author: Stephanie Buechler
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 275
Release: 2015-03-02
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1317749820

This edited volume explores how a feminist political ecology framework can bring fresh insights to the study of rural and urban livelihoods dependent on vulnerable rivers, lakes, watersheds, wetlands and coastal environments. Bringing together political ecologists and feminist scholars from multiple disciplines, the book develops solution-oriented advances to theory, policy and planning to tackle the complexity of these global environmental changes. Using applied research on the contemporary management of groundwater, springs, rivers, lakes, watersheds and coastal wetlands in Central and South Asia, Northern, Central and Southern Africa, and South and North America, the authors draw on a variety of methodological perspectives and new theoretical approaches to demonstrate the importance of considering multiple layers of social difference as produced by and central to the effective governance and local management of water resources. This unique collection employs a unifying feminist political ecology framework that emphasizes the ways that gender interacts with other social and geographical locations of water resource users. In doing so, the book further questions the normative gender discourses that underlie policies and practices surrounding rural and urban water management and climate change, water pollution, large-scale development and dams, water for crop and livestock production and processing, resource knowledge and expertise, and critical livelihood studies. This book will be of interest to students and scholars of environmental studies, development studies, feminist and environmental geography, anthropology, sociology, environmental philosophy, public policy, planning, media studies, Latin American and other area studies, as well as women’s and gender studies.

Rethinking Urban Risk and Resettlement in the Global South

Rethinking Urban Risk and Resettlement in the Global South
Author: Cassidy Johnson
Publisher: UCL Press
Total Pages: 364
Release: 2021-06-10
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1787358283

Environmental changes have significant impacts on people’s lives and livelihoods, particularly the urban poor and those living in informal settlements. In an effort to reduce urban residents’ exposure to climate change and hazards such as natural disasters, resettlement programmes are becoming widespread across the Global South. While resettlement may reduce a region’s future climate-related disaster risk, it often increases poverty and vulnerability, and can be used as a reason to evict people from areas undergoing redevelopment. A collaboration between the Bartlett Development Planning Unit at UCL, the Indian Institute for Human Settlements and the Latin American Social Science Faculty, Rethinking Urban Risk and Resettlement in the Global South collates the findings from 'Reducing Relocation Risks', a research project that studied urban areas across India, Uganda, Peru, Colombia and Mexico. The findings are augmented with chapters by researchers with many years of insight into resettlement, property rights and evictions, who offer cases from Monserrat, Cambodia, Philippines and elsewhere. The contributors collectively argue that the processes for making and implementing decisions play a large part in determining whether outcomes are socially just, and examine various value systems and strategies adopted by individuals versus authorities. Considering perceptions of risk, the volume offers a unique way to think about economic assessments in the context of resettlement and draws parallels between different country contexts to compare fully urbanised areas with those experiencing urban growth. It also provides an opportunity to re-think how disaster risk management can better address the accumulation of urban risks through urban planning.

Treatise on Estuarine and Coastal Science

Treatise on Estuarine and Coastal Science
Author:
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 4604
Release: 2012-03-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0080878857

The study of estuaries and coasts has seen enormous growth in recent years, since changes in these areas have a large effect on the food chain, as well as on the physics and chemistry of the ocean. As the coasts and river banks around the world become more densely populated, the pressure on these ecosystems intensifies, putting a new focus on environmental, socio-economic and policy issues. Written by a team of international expert scientists, under the guidance of Chief Editors Eric Wolanski and Donald McClusky, the Treatise on Estuarine and Coastal Science, Ten Volume Set examines topics in depth, and aims to provide a comprehensive scientific resource for all professionals and students in the area of estuarine and coastal science Most up-to-date reference for system-based coastal and estuarine science and management, from the inland watershed to the ocean shelf Chief editors have assembled a world-class team of volume editors and contributing authors Approach focuses on the physical, biological, chemistry, ecosystem, human, ecological and economics processes, to show how to best use multidisciplinary science to ensure earth's sustainability Provides a comprehensive scientific resource for all professionals and students in the area of estuarine and coastal science Features up-to-date chapters covering a full range of topics

Mexican Natural Resources Management and Biodiversity Conservation

Mexican Natural Resources Management and Biodiversity Conservation
Author: Alfredo Ortega-Rubio
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 587
Release: 2018-07-20
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3319905848

This book presents valuable and recent lessons learned regarding the links between natural resources management, from a Socio-Ecological perspective, and the biodiversity conservation in Mexico. It address the political and social aspects, as well as the biological and ecological factors, involved in natural resources management and their impacts on biodiversity conservation. It is a useful resource for researchers and professionals around the globe, but especially those in Latin American countries, which are grappling with the same Bio-Cultural heritage conservation issues.

Ecological Dimensions for Sustainable Socio Economic Development

Ecological Dimensions for Sustainable Socio Economic Development
Author: A. Yáñez-Arancibia
Publisher: WIT Press
Total Pages: 629
Release: 2014-05-13
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1845647564

This book fills a gap in the literature on environmental sustainability by addressing the topic from the perspective of social and economic development. Progress in understanding and achieving sustainability requires the integration of scientific, social, economic, and legal issues. Yet progress in understanding and achieving sustainability will only be achieved through integration of scientific, social, economic, and legal aspects. A treatise on environmental sustainability should raise the current state of knowledge by proposing and recommending decision-making efforts and breaking new ground with agendas aimed for the younger generation. These younger scientists will be confronted with future uncertainty related to the set of crises that characterise the 21st Century (e.g. ecological, social, food, energy, environmental, climatic, financial, etc.). Currently, there are a number of indicators that demonstrate that ecological conditions are being compromised globally. These include reduced primary productivity, reduction in biological complexity, spreading pollution such as eutrophication, ecological degradation in any continental/basin/coastal/sea ecosystem, reduction in biodiversity, lowered resilience and slow recovery of damaged ecosystems, and reduced ecological integrity. All of these problems are related to social and economic pressure. The challenge for most ecological systems is not only to establish the baseline for current ecosystem conditions, but also to explore options for recovery and sustainability. The latter involves ecological restoration where ecosystem and environmental services are maintained and enhanced. These services are essential to social integration and economic development. This book not only introduces a theoretical and conceptual framework for the topic, but also analyses the uncertainty for sustainability because of dwindling natural resources. It includes contributions providing a basis for public policies, case studies integrating concepts and tools for solutions, and a set of position papers addressing new agenda topics that will shape the 21st century. The book will be useful for researchers, professors and students alike, as well as for all stakeholders from social, economic and academic sectors.

Marine and Fisheries Policies in Latin America

Marine and Fisheries Policies in Latin America
Author: Manuel Ruiz Muller
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 193
Release: 2019-09-30
Genre: Law
ISBN: 0429761236

This book reviews the frameworks and implementation of marine, fishery and coastal laws and policies in Chile, Mexico and Peru. Chile, Mexico and Peru share biodiverse coastal and marine environments which are being affected by unregulated and informal developments, and thus share similar challenges. Each country is currently at a different stage of advancement in their institutional response to these complex challenges. By providing a comparison of the frameworks, approaches and overall implementation of policies and laws, this book acts as a tool to influence and inform further efforts in conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, particularly fisheries, in these countries and others in Latin America and the Caribbean. A broad range of issues are covered including food security, tourism, fisheries, oil and mineral extraction from the seabed, wind power, coastal and marine pollution and endangered species conservation. The chapters compare how each country addresses these issues from an institutional, legal and policy perspective. The book concludes by identifying common lessons, reoccurring challenges and develops scalable recommendations applicable to the case study countries and the wider region. The book will be of interest to advanced students, policy makers and researchers in marine and fishery science, law and policy.