The Sustainable Use of Resources and Conservation of Biodiversity

Coastal environments contain a wealth of biodiversity and economic opportunity. Due to the interaction of terrestrial, marine, and atmospheric processes, they are one of the most complex environments on the planet. Coastal environments are also home to approximately forty percent of the world’s people. It is here that dense human populations, valuable economic activities, dynamic physical environments, and high ecological diversity converge, creating complex and increasingly vulnerable ecological and socially coupled systems. A healthy coastal zone is crucial to marine and terrestrial ecosystems, human health and well-being, and the economy.

To learn more about coastal science and to access Ocean Connect’s wide range of educational and career resources, please visit our Coastal Science snapshot.