| Resumo: |
It is estimated that approximately 50% of the worlds population live on the coastal fringes of landmasses and the likely trend is for this number to increase to 75% within a decade. For centuries people have been drawn to coastal regions for the rich soils for agriculture (of deltas and lowlands), the extensive fisheries resources, transportation opportunities and recreation, and just for the natural beauty of living on beachfronts. However, the air-sea-land boundary referred to as the coastal zone is dangerous, comprised of an extremely dynamic, complex physical / biological set of environments. Worldwide, the coastal zone is characterized by high population densities, extremely varied and important biological diversity, including coastal fisheries, rich agricultural lands, and economically important major ports and rivers arteries to the continent'’ interior. Such economically significant regions located on the fringes of the continents are prone to major catastrophic hazards that immediately affect large segments of the population and have lasting impacts on a nation’s economy....
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