Aspects of coastal zone management in the Mediterranean and Black Seas - Introduction
Williams, A.T.
Faculty of Applied Sciences, Bath Spa University College, Newton Park, Bath, UK; Fax +441225875444; E-mail a.t.williams@bathspa.ac.uk
The nine papers that constitute the bulk of this Special Issue, have been taken from the proceedings of the Third MEDCOAST conference, held at Qawra. Malta in November, 1997. The meeting covered a catholic spectrum of aspects, issues and solutions concerning the coastal zone. However, for this particular Special Issue, papers concerned with engineering and associated areas such as mathematical analyses of waves, etc., were not considered for publication. All papers in this issue have been revised, refereed and in several instances completely rewritten as new facts have appeared over time within the respective research programmes.
Barale & Zin set the broad picture by analysing the whole Mediterranean basin by surface colour and temperature fields. They used time series satellite images as well as historical data. Analyses indicated the difference found between the northern and southern shores, the southern shores having lower chlorophyll pigment concentrations and higher temperatures. Northern shores reflected the runoff from continental margins and vertical mixing by prevailing winds.
Curr et al. moved down scale from satellite imaging to remote sensing obtained by photography from a small aircraft via a new generation of Aerial Digital Photographic Systems (ADPS). They used Kodak Digital Science 460 CIR cameras to investigate dune vulnerability along Mediterranean and Atlantic French coastal dunes. Their paper reports work which was part of a much wider brief to assess the vulnerability of European dunes via a checklist approach and they showed the enhanced added value of ADPS over conventional ground based methods for assessing the state of dune systems.
Otter & Capobianco discuss the fact that uncertainty plays a large role in Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM). Uncertainty exists in decision making, science and models and they argue for the usage of sensitivity analyses e.g. Monte Carlo, fuzzy mathematics, to help in the production of any analysis plan to handle the problems which inevitably arise in any decision making process.
Capobianco & Stive continue the theme of integral systems and looked at soft intervention technology and its role in ICZM. They argued for the introduction of conceptual models, eco-technology and ecological engineering as a possible `toolbox' for soft protection intervention.
Morgan et al. emphasised the usage of beach user preferences rather than subjective value judgements in order to arrive at a Beach Climate Index. This index can be used to help in reducing the extreme seasonality that exists not only in the Mediterranean but worldwide with respect to tourist demand. Sixteen hundred questionnaires from sedentary beach users in Wales, Malta and Turkey, showed that a beach climate index could help in diverting tourists to the 'shoulder' of the tourist season.
Abul-Azm & Rakha looked at the environmental concerns associated with marina development in the Gulf of Suez. They report the first usage in Suez of the GENESIS model to examine potential shoreline accretion/erosion. The application of the model is unusual in that it encompassed both sand and rock shores.
Yalciner & Gokdalay briefly surveyed protected areas in the Mediterranean Sea before concentrating upon conservation policies followed in Turkey for protecting the natural and cultural environment. With respect to these matters they emphasise the problems associated with coastal tourism and suggest modification of the existing regulations concerning marine parks in Turkey.
Pond & Rees took up the theme of public education and participation within the scope of coastal zone management. They took the example of COASTWATCH as a Europe wide initiative involving some 20 countries and present a case study approach carried out in the UK. Public participation in the form of volunteers facilitates the objectives of Agenda 21 of the Rio Conference, and their work identified baseline pollution levels around the UK coastline. Annual reports raising public awareness together with education are key factors in the ultimate aim of reducing for example, the vast quantities of marine debris that currently exist.
Earll et al. picked up the question of marine debris which is one of the biggest problems associated with the coastal zone in the 21St Century. They stressed that without correct measurement it is very difficult to manage coastal litter. The key was sourcing of the litter and the answer was prevention at source. They emphasised that the relationship of litter to its source was a function of litter type and not beach material composition. A new approach in the form of the ABCD model was also introduced, which could assess and grade beach state with respect to litter.
Journal of Coastal Conservation 6: 1-78, 2000
© EUCC; Opulus Press Uppsaln. Printed In Sweden
Aspects of coastal zone management in the Mediterranean and Black Seas
Guest Editors:
A.T. Williams & A. Micallef
This Special Feature is based on contributions presented at the Third MEDCOAST conference, held at Qawra, Malta in November, 1997
Contents
Barale, V. & Zin, I. - Impact of continental margins in the Mediterranean Sea: Hints from the surface colour and temperature historical record
Williams, A.T. - Aspects of coastal zone management in the Mediterranean and Black Seas
Curr, R.H.F., Koh, A., Edwards, E., Williams, A.T., Davies, P. - Assessing anthropogenic impact on Mediterranean sand dunes from aerial digital photography
Otter, H.S. & Capobianco, M. - Uncertainty in integrated coastal zone management
Capobianco, M. & Stive, M.J.F. - Soft intervention technology as a tool for integrated coastal zone management
Morgan, R., Gatell, E., Junyent, R., Micallef, A., Ozhan, E. & Williams, A.T. - An improved user-based beach climate index
Abul-Azm, A.G. & Rakha, K.A. - Environmental concerns for marina planning in the Gulf of Suez
Yalciner, A.C. & Gokdalay, M. - Marine Parks for protection and tourism in Turkey
Pond, K. & Rees, G. - Coastwatch UK - a public participation survey
Early R.C., Williams, A.T., Simmons, S. L. & Tudor, D.T. - Aquatic fitter, management and prevention - the role of measurement