Coastal Systems offers a concise introduction to the processes, landforms, ecosystems and management of this important global environment. New to the second edition is a greater emphasis on the role of high-energy events, such as storms and tsunamis, which have manifested themselves with catastrophic effects in recent years. There is also a new concluding chapter, and updated guides to the ever-growing coastal literature. Each chapter is illustrated and furnished with topical case studies from around the world. Introductory chapters establish the importance of coasts, and explain how they are studied within a systems framework. Subsequent chapters explore the role of waves, tides, rivers and sea-level change in coastal evolution.
Students will benefit from summary points, themed boxes, engaging discussion questions and new graded annotated guides to further reading at the end of each chapter. Additionally, a comprehensive glossary of technical terms and an extensive bibliography are provided. The book is highly illustrated with diagrams and original plates. The comprehensive balance of illustrations and academic thought provides a well balanced view between the role of coastal catastrophes and gradual processes, also examining the impact humans and society have and continue to have on the coastal environment.
Simon K. Haslett is Director, Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching at the University of Wales. His main area of research is coastal evolution and oceanography, including coastal upwelling, sea-level change, and the impact of high-energy events, such as tsunami and storms. He is dedicated to the Public Understanding of Science and has written extensively in newspapers and magazines, gives public lectures, and appears on television. He was very heavily involved in making a television programme on the Bristol Channel in 2004 for BBC Timewatch which was screened in April 2005 entitled Killer Wave of 1607, which was screened in April 2005.