Book Review: Coastal and estuarine management

The unintended and initially unpredictable side-effects or impacts of human activities at the coast form the main subject of this text. It argues that impacts upon physical qualities relate either to sediment (deficit or surplus) or
pollution and generally affect habitats and coastal amenities in an adverse manner.
Following a detailed and systematic discussion
of these impacts resulting from activities such as
coastal defence, industrial development and
tourism, a concluding chapter directs attention
towards appropriate management methods. In
view of the focus upon impacts and the fact that
many of these result from lack of management,
the title of this work might be considered a little
misleading even though the subject-matter is
compelling. The text is aimed at an undergraduate
audience and its range is global although
many of the examples are based upon
experiences from the UK. Its scope is similar to
the earlier text by Viles and Spencer (1995),
although its treatment of the subject differs. In
p a r t i c u l a r, it provides a cohesive overview
of the full range of impact types and their
historical dimensions rather than advanced
treatment of specific problems. It also provides a
useful discussion of management options
although much of this is based upon recent UK
practice. French, P. W. 1997 London: Routledge. xvi + 256 pp., £50.00 cloth, £15.99 paper. ISBN: 0 415 13758 6 cloth, 0 415 13759 4 paper