GEMET
General
Multilingual
Environmental
Thesaurus
coastal environment
Definition

The areas where the land masses meet the seas. Coastal environments include tidal wetlands, estuaries, bays, shallow near-shore waters, mangrove swamps, and in-shore reef systems. The critical habitats of these zones are: feeding, breeding, nursery, and resting areas. Coastal areas throughout the world are under enormous environmental stress, which is caused by a wide range of factors, including pollution and the destruction and deterioration of marine habitats.

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Scope note

Scope note is not available.

Concept URL: http://www.eionet.europa.eu/gemet/concept/1517