Coastal communities

Definition

Coastal communities are settlements located near coastlines or along the shores of oceans, seas, or other bodies of water. They rely heavily on marine resources for their livelihoods and face unique challenges related to coastal erosion, flooding, storms, and rising sea levels.

Related terms

Shoreline Management: Strategies implemented to manage coastal areas effectively while considering natural processes such as erosion and sedimentation.

Sea Level Rise: The gradual increase in the average level of the world's oceans due to melting glaciers and ice caps as a result of global warming.

Marine Spatial Planning: A process that organizes human activities in marine areas while minimizing conflicts among different uses (e.g., fishing zones versus shipping lanes).