Coastal Zone Space : Prelude to Conflict?

Abstract

Review: Coastal Zone Space: Prelude to Conflict? By Edward Goldberg Reviewed by Jefferson G. Edgens Michigan State University Goldberg, Edward. COASTAL ZONE SPACE: PRELUDE TO CONFLICT? Paris: UNESCO Publishing, IOC Ocean Forum, 1994. 138pp. paper ISBN: Human population is the greatest threat facing the world's coastal zones. As more people locate along coasts, the demand for land, recreation opportunities (including fishing), and mineral extraction increases. In the meantime, more wastes are being dumped into these zones. Such multiple use invariably leads to conflict. A coastal zone can be loosely defined as the interface between land and sea. This includes estuaries, bays, salt marshes, rocky intertidal areas, barrier islands and solid land forms. Because coastal zones are unique and fragile environments, small but negative perturbations can lead to major ecological problems. In COASTAL ZONE: PRELUDE TO CONFLICT, Edward Goldberg, a marine chemist at Scripps Oceanographic Institute, has written a concise and comprehensive volume for the lay person on competing uses in the coastal zone. Goldberg asserts that population is the biggest threat to coastal zones; more than 50% of the world's population live near the shore (23). For example, Florida had a population of 5 million in 1960, but will have more than 16 million people by 2010 (27). Population growth spurs recreation and tourism, which in turn, impacts coastal ecosystems. For example, scuba divers, boats and pollution cause the greatest damage to coral reefs (36). Also, pathogens are on the increase and pose a threat to swimmers and marine life. Increasing population also leads to waste disposal problems. Goldberg argues that the oceans are improperly utilized for waste disposal, especially for less developed nations (47). Additional pollution occurs due to mariculture from fish waste and eutrophication of coastal waters. Mariculture is becoming economically attractive, but results in more pollution. Coastal regions are also often exploited for transportation, energy,