Integrated Coastal Zone ManagementUnit 2: Coastal Vulnerability

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IntroductionUnit content1. Identifying human impacts on the coast2. Exploring coastal vulnerability3. Relating human impacts to coastal vulnerability

Learning outcomesUpon completion of this unit, students will be able to 4. Appreciate the range of human activities and their coastal impacts5. Recognise the importance of magnitude and scale on coastal impacts6. Understand the concept of coastal vulnerability7. Understand how coastal activities affect coastal vulnerability

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Human activities & impacts

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Human activities & impacts

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Direct and indirect impacts

Example: agriculture

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Direct and indirect impacts

AgricultureDirect impacts: eutrophication, pollution, salinisationIndirect impacts: biodiversity loss, erosion, subsidence

UrbanisationDirect impacts: eutrophication, pollution, habitat loss, turbidity,

sediment movementIndirect impacts: biodiversity loss, erosion

Climate changeDirect impacts: sea level rise, temperature rise, flooding, erosion, acidificationIndirect impacts: biodiversity loss, altered species abundance

Conclusion: loss of biodiversity is indirectly associated with all human activities

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Coastal vulnerability

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Coastal sensitivity

Sensitivity: probability of human impact affecting the environment (for example, biodiversity loss)

What aspects of the following ecosystems make them more or less sensitive to human impacts?1) Coral reefs2) Seagrass meadows3) Mangroves

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Managing threats

What are localised threats to coral reefs?

Fishing

Agriculture

Forestry

Building development

Industrial activity

Tourism

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Managing threats

What are localised threats to coral reefs?

Fishing

Agriculture

Forestry

Building development

Industrial activity

Tourism

Increased regulation

Increased enforcement

Subsidising alternative activities

Promoting environmental awareness

What are appropriate management options?

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Managing threats

What are localised threats to coral reefs?

Fishing

Agriculture

Forestry

Building development

Industrial activity

Tourism

Increased regulation

Increased enforcement

Subsidising alternative activities

Promoting environmental awareness

What are appropriate management options?

Choice of management options = coastal management plan