Coastal zones

In spite of the fact that Sri Lanka has a relatively high Human Development Index (HDI) overall, the majority of families living in coastal areas fall into the poorest category. This Poverty Environment Nexus study was intended to assess the main causal mechanisms that bring about poverty and environmental degradation.

The Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region is renowned for the attractiveness of its coastal zones, high marine biodiversity and rich marine and coastal resources, but the 30 million or so people who live on the coast of the WIO region have had a significant impact on its biodiversity.

Being an island, Sri Lanka is rich in coastal and marine habitats. Sub-target_idal habitats such as coral and rocky reefs are abundant, along with large soft bottom habitats. In addition, inter-target_idal and coastal habitats are an important part of the marine ecosystem and provide shelter for a large number of plant and animal species.

Los objetivos de este taller, que llevó a cabo en Cuidad Guatemala del 5 al 8 julio de 1999, fueron los siguentes: 1, intercambiar lecciones aprendidas en los diversos enfoques de conservación y manejo de humedales y zonas costeras en los proyectos ejecutados en América Central; 2, establecer prioridades regionales y nacionales de conservación y manejo de humedales y zonas costeras; 3, difundir los logros alcanzados por PROARCA/Costas y el Programa de Humedales de UICN/ORMA.

11% of all coral reefs have been damaged beyond recovery or totally destroyed; another 16% were damaged in 1998 by climate change related to coral bleaching. More than 50% of the world’s mangrove forests have been cleared without understanding the enormous value of these muddy coastal forests. Seagrass beds have had similar losses in many areas. This book was written for practicing resource managers and educators in developing countries.