Man evolved late in terms of geologic history, yet he has become a major geomorphologic agent despite his short tenure on Earth. His ability to alter the materials, processes and forms along the world's shorelines are manifested in a variety of ways. Beginning with the indirect changes that resulted from early agriculture and animal husbandry, he progressed to direct modification through reclamation and harbor construction. Today, in the name of shoreline stabilization, thousands of kilometers of natural shoreline have been modified by the addition of artificial structures.