Coasts: Form, Process and Evolution

Coasts are some of the most rapidly changing places on earth. Understanding the natural adjustments that occur between coastal landforms and the processes that influence them is essential for the better management of coastal resources. Coasts provides a necessary background in geomorphology for those studying coastal systems. It describes the landforms that occur on the coast, their responses to the processes that shape them, and the pattern of evolution that can be determined for different types of coast over thousands of years. Numerous examples from around the world are used to illustrate the variety of environments. Particular attention is paid to coastal morphodynamics, the co-adjustment of process and form, on rocky, reef, sandy, deltaic-estuarine and muddy coasts. This valuable text for advanced undergraduate and graduate students is well illustrated and contains an extensive reference section. It will also be of great interest to environmental scientists, geologists, coastal managers and planners.

Table of Contents:
Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Geological setting and materials; 3. Coastal processes; 4. Rocky coasts; 5. Reef coasts; 6. Beach and barrier coasts; 7. Deltas and estuaries; 8. Muddy coasts; 9. Morphodynamics of coastal systems; 10. Human activities and future coasts; References; Index.

About the Author :
Colin Woodroffe is Associate Professor at the University of Wollongong, New South Wales. His previous book Coastal Evolution (052141976X), co-edited by Bill Carter, was published by Cambridge in 1994.

Review :
'... of great interest to enviornmental scientists, geologists and coastal managers.' EUCC Coastal News '... a useful orientation and introduction to coasts, and to coastal evolution in particular.' Wildfire '... an important addition to library shelves and should prove a useful text for both process geomorphologists and quaternary scientists alike.' The Holocene '... a useful addition to the coastal geomorphology bookshelf.' Progress in Physical Geography '... a useful source and reference text ... should be on every university library shelf, but librarians may need to buy multiple copies as it is likely to be in demand.' Geoscientist 'An impressive work.' Open University Geological Society Journal 'Coasts is a book that truly represents the philosophical science melange that is the discipline of geomorphology. Steeped in the conceptual ideologies of the nineteenth-century, the book is equally fluent considering the most recent advances in scientific understanding ... whilst rooted in traditional geomorphology, the book goes further than most contemporary geomorphology books in the consideration of morphodynamics ... Students will appreciate the fact that it is a good reference text that can be easily and briefly consulted, whilst scientists may value the extensive reference resource. Academics will consider this an important addition to the bibliography of any coastal science course, functioning well as a good teaching resource, but also as an important research tool ... the book is student friendly, with plenty of figures and photographs, references and case studies, but is also comprehensive enough to contain something of interest for most professionals. In summary, Woodroffe's diligence as both a coastal scientist and an academic author has resulted in an accomplished scholarly publication that should find a home on the bookcase of any coastal enthusiast.' Transactions of the IBG