North Carolina implemented a statewide mandatory oceanfront 30-year setback on June 1, 1979. This research evaluated the effectiveness of the setback policy in the town of Nags Head in protecting private property from ocean hazards, preventing the encroachment of structures on public beaches, and minimizing public costs of inappropriately-sited development. To date, no process has been established for evaluating the effectiveness of the setback program. This research is proposed as one way to evaluate the success of oceanfront setbacks on a local basis. The town of Nags Head, located on Bodie Island, was selected for analysis because it represents one of the most developed areas of the Outer Banks, and has witnessed significant growth over the past twenty years. Due to Bodie Island’s northeast orientation, Nags Head has experienced severe erosion in many areas, stemming in part from northeasters and other coastal storms. The research involved collecting data on structures built since June 1, 1979 within the study area. Oceanfront setbacks from the vegetation line at the time of construction were obtained from survey measurements, and field measurements taken in January and February 1994 determined the present location of the structure relative to the vegetation line. Site-specific erosion rates were then determined and compared to the long-term rate used by the Division of Coastal Management in the delineating oceanfront setback per lot. Predictions of the time until each structure would be located within the zone of imminent collapse, as defined by FEMA, were made based on both long-term erosion rates and actual rates occurring over each structure’s lifetime. These predictions were then compared to the years remaining until each structure was 25 years old (30-year setback less the 5-year zone of imminent collapse), and determinations of setback success or failure were made on a per lot basis. Results of the analysis yielded low setback success rates within the study area, raising doubts about the ability of long-term erosion rate setbacks to sufficiently protect oceanfront property in areas frequented by severe coastal storms. The research supports the continuation of the oceanfront setback program, but discusses policy shortcomings, suggests possible policy alternatives, and recommends topics for further research regarding oceanfront setbacks. / Master of Science

Los ríos, son los ejes vivos que estructuran un territorio, son dadores de vida y desarrollo de pueblos y ciudades, sin embargo, el crecimiento urbano acelerado y poco planificado ha dado la espalda a los ríos, convirtiéndolos en sarcófagos de concreto. Esta investigación se realizó en la ciudad de Bambamarca, Cajamarca, con el fin de detener la apropiación deterioro y contaminación de las riberas del río Tingo Maygasbamba, que en gran parte de su tramo esta en contacto con viviendas informales, en sus fajas marginales. La investigación se estructuró en tres fases: analítica, interpretativa y propositiva; que componen la Metodología de Renaturalización. La primera fase se enfocó en el análisis de la situación actual y la problemática de los bordes urbanos del río Tingo Maygasbamba, se desarrolló bajo dos enfoques, el primero estudió y analizó el paisaje urbano y sus diversos indicadores y el segundo se enfocó en el entorno natural y componentes del paisaje. Tras el análisis de esta primera fase, se describió y analizó cada indicador, llegando a conclusiones. La segunda fase se enfocó en el estudio de teorías, referentes y estrategias relacionados con Renaturalización de riberas y bordes de ríos. Se analizaron estrategias como corredor ecólogico, anillo verde, corredor biótico, zonas de amortiguamiento, eco urbanismo, entre otras, las cuales fueron analizadas e interpretadas para ser aplicadas en la tercera fase en donde se aplicaron estas estrategias en el territorio a nivel macro, que incluye ciudad y entorno, se ejecutó en una primera instancia un Master Plan y Plan Piloto, donde fueron aterrizadas todas las teorías y estrategias previamente estudiadas. / Rivers are the living axes that structure a territory, they are givers of life and development of towns and cities, however, accelerated and poorly planned urban growth has turned its back on the rivers, turning them into concrete sarcophagi. This research was carried out in the city of Bambamarca, Cajamarca, in order to stop the appropriation, deterioration and contamination of the banks of the Tingo Maygasbamba River, which in a large part of its stretch is in contact with informal housing, in its marginal strips. The research was structured in three phases: analytical, interpretive and propositional; that make up the Renaturalization Methodology. The first phase focused on the analysis of the current situation and the problems of the urban edges of the Tingo Maygasbamba River, it was developed under two approaches, the first studied and analyzed the urban landscape and its various indicators and the second focused on the environment. natural and landscape components. After the analysis of this first phase, each indicator was described and analyzed, reaching conclusions. The second phase focused on the study of theories, references and strategies related to the renaturalization of river banks and edges. Strategies such as ecological corridor, green ring, biotic corridor, buffer zones, eco-urbanism, among others, were analyzed and interpreted to be applied in the third phase where these strategies were applied in the territory at a macro level, which includes city and environment, a Master Plan and Pilot Plan was executed in the first instance, where all the theories and strategies previously studied were landed.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Saldanha-Langebaan coastal zone is an important natural resource and serves as habitat for several endangered bird and fish species. Development in this coastal zone holds a constant threat for the natural environment and has a negative impact on the water quality of the bay. It is therefore essential to manage the water quality to ensure fitness for use for all the beneficial users in this coastal zone. This study focuses on the utilization and management of the Saldanha-Langebaan coastal zone. The beneficial users have different water quality requirements. It is therefore important to identify all the different water uses and to determine the occurrence of pollution and the dispersion thereof in the bay. The biophysical characteristics of the natural resource are described as part of the objective determining phase of the integrated water quality management process. The thesis also focuses on the inauguration and functioning of an integrated water quality management organization and the development and implementation of a long term monitoring program, with special emphasis on the sediment en health monitoring results. The result of this research study is a functional management instrument for integrated water quality monitoring and management in the Saldanha-Langebaan coastal zone. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Saldanha-Langebaan kussone is 'n belangrike natuurlike hulpbron en dien as habitat vir verskeie bedreigde voel- en visspesies. Hierdie kussone is egter ook onder konstante ontwikkelingsdruk wat 'n negatiewe impak op die watergehalte van die baai het. Dit is dus noodsaaklik dat die watergehalte so bestuur word dat dit geskik bly vir al die gemeenskaplike watergebruikers in hierdie kussone. In hierdie studie is die benutting en bestuur van die Saldanha-Langebaan kussone ondersoek. Verskillende watergebruikers het uiteenlopende watergehaltebehoeftes en dit is noodsaaklik om die verskillende watergebruikers, sowel as die voorkoms en verspreiding van besoedeling in hierdie gebied te identifiseer. Die biofisiese eienskappe van die natuurlike kusopvanggebied is beskryf as deel van die aanvanklike doelwitbepalingsfase van geïntegreerde watergehaltebestuur. Die tesis fokus ook op die stigting en werkswyse van 'n geïntegreerde watergehaltebestuursliggaam, asook die ontwerp en implementering van 'n langtermyn moniteringsprogram. Daar is veral gelet op die resultate van die . sediment- en bakteriologiese moniteringsprogram. Die resultaat van die navorsingsproses is die totstandkoming van 'n funksionele bestuursliggaam wat as instrument dien vir geïntegreerde monitering en bestuur van die watergehalte in die Saldanha-Langebaan kussone.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Strand is located within False Bay and frequently encounters large quantities of wave overtopping over the coastal defences. This results in the damage of property and infrastructure and causes streets to be flooded. Physical modelling tests were done by a consultancy firm to determine a solution by making use of a recurve structure at the back of the beach. This study is an expansion of the previous physical modelling that was done and focuses on several factors that were not tested by the consultancy firm that could have an influence on the overtopping rate and provide additional information on the recurve design. These tests were: (i) the effectiveness of the proposed recurve wall design in reducing overtopping was compared to a vertical wall; (ii) the influence that modifications to the beach profile such as the beach slope, beach width and beach level have on the overtopping rate; and (iii) the sensitivity of overtopping to changes in wave period was tested. The information gathered from these tests was used to propose a possible solution for the Strand. Numerical modelling was done with Delft3D-Wave to determine the wave height at the back of the beach using a nested grid. The waves at the Strand are depth limited and therefore very sensitive to changes in water level. By altering the beach level the model showed how the significant wave height at the back of the beach changes. First estimates of overtopping were determined using the relevant empirical calculations from the EuroTop Manual 2007 for a vertical seawall. No estimate could be made for the recurve wall since it did not fall in the valid range of the equations. From the physical modelling it was found that the overtopping reduced significantly from a vertical to a recurve seawall by a factor of about 50% depending on the wall height. All the prediction methods tested proved to be accurate in estimating the overtopping when the ratio of freeboard to significant wave height was ≤1.83. For non-breaking wave conditions the beach profiles that were gently sloped (1:50) and wide produced more overtopping than the beach profiles that were steep (1:10) and narrow. Increasing the beach level only decreased the overtopping if the water depth was shallow enough to cause the waves to break before they reached the back of the beach. Overtopping was found to increase with longer wave periods until the wave period became too long and the waves broke offshore which resulted in the overtopping decreasing. Possible solutions to overtopping were proposed based on two beach levels and the implementation of a recurve seawall. Revised crest levels for the wall were made along the length of the beach for both the 1:20 and 1:100 year water levels. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Strand is in Valsbaai geleë en ervaar dikwels baie oorspoeling deur golwe bo-oor kusverdedigingswerke. Dit lei tot skade aan eiendom sowel as aan infrastruktuur en veroorsaak dat strate oorstroom. Fisiese modelleringstoetse is deur ’n konsultasiefirma gedoen om ’n oplossing te probeer vind deur van ’n teruggebuigde struktuur aan die agterkant van die strand gebruik te maak. Hierdie studie is ’n uitbreiding van die vorige fisiese modellering wat gedoen is en fokus op verskeie faktore wat nie deur die konsultasiefirma getoets is nie. Dit kan moontlik ’n invloed op die oorspoelingstempo hê en verskaf bykomende inligting oor die ontwerp van die terugbuiging. Hierdie toetse is: (i) die doeltreffendheid van die voorgestelde ontwerp van die teruggebuigde strandmuur in die vermindering van oorspoeling word vergelyk met ’n vertikale muur; (ii) die invloed wat veranderinge aan die strandprofiel soos die helling van die strand, die wydte van die strand asook die strandvlak op die oorspoelingstempo het; en (iii) die sensitiwiteit van oorspoeling op veranderinge in golfperiode is getoets. Die inligting wat uit hierdie toetse verkry is, word gebruik om ’n moontlike oplossing vir die Strand voor te stel. Numeriese modellering is met Delft3D-Wave gedoen om die golfhoogte aan die agterkant van die strand vas te stel deur van ’n genestelde ruitenet gebruik te maak. Die golwe by die Strand word deur diepte beperk en is dus baie sensitief vir veranderinge in die watervlak. Deur die strandvlakke te verander het die model getoon hoe die betekenisvolle golfhoogte aan die agterkant van die strand verander. Die eerste beramings van oorspoeling is bepaal deur van die relevante empiriese berekenings uit die EuroTop-handleiding 2007 vir ’n vertikale strandmuur gebruik te maak. Daar kon geen beraming vir die teruggebuigde muur gemaak word nie aangesien dit nie binne die geldige bereik van die vergelykings val nie. Uit die fisiese modellering is daar vasgestel dat oorspoeling noemenswaardig met ’n gemiddeld van ongeveer 50% verminder is, afhangend van die muurhoogte. Al die voorspellingmetodes wat getoets is was akkuraat in die beraming van die oorspoeling wanneer die verhouding van vryboord tot betekenisvolle golfhoogte ≤1.83 was. Vir nie-brekende golftoestande het strandprofiele met ’n lae helling (1:50) en wat wyd was meer oorspoeling tot gevolg gehad as strandprofiele wat steil (1:10) en nou was. ’n Verhoging in die strand se vlakke het die oorspoeling slegs verminder indien die diepte van die water vlak genoeg was om die golwe te laat breek voordat hulle die agterkant van die strand bereik het. Oorspoeling is gevind om te vermeeder met verlengde golflengte tot dat die golflengte só lank geword het dat die golwe in dieper water begin breek wat aanlieding tot verminderde oorspoeling gegee het. Daar word moontlike oplossings vir oorspoeling voorgestel gebaseer op twee strandvlakke en die implementering van ’n teruggebuigde strandmuur. Voorgestelde golfkruinvlakke vir die muur is al langs die lengte van die strand gemaak vir beide die 1:20- en 1:100-jaar watervlakke.

Global climate change stressors downscale to specific local vulnerabilities, requiring customized adaptation strategies. Southeast Florida has a high likelihood of sealevel rise impact to due to the low-lying porous limestone geology. High risk is coupled with high exposure due to high-valued coastal properties, productive ecosystems, and dense populations. Coastal populations are particularly at risk due to erosion, inundation and storm surge, but interior populations are also susceptible to rising water tables and extended periods of inundation. All of these impacts are amplified by sea-level rise. Robust sea-level rise adaptation options require significant economic costs. If perceived risk does not adequately line up with actual risk, lack of funds and preparation will prevent implementation of the most effective strategies. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Aquatic plants and submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) are some of the most wide-ranging species and create important habitat for fish and wildlife in many ecosystems, including highly variable coastal ecotones. Mechanistically understanding factors controlling current distributions of these species is critical to project future distribution and abundance under increasing variability and climate change. I used a population-based approach to quantify the effects of spatial and temporal variability on life history transitions of the SAV Ruppia maritima L. (widgeongrass) in the highly dynamic Everglades-Florida Bay ecotone as a model to (1) examine which life history stages were most constrained by these conditions and (2) determine how management can promote life history development to enhance its distribution, an Everglades restoration target. Ruppia maritima life history transitions were quantified in a series of laboratory and field experiments encompassing a ra nge of abiotic and biotic factors known to affect seagrass and SAV (salinity, salinity variability, temperature, light and nutrients and seed bank recruitment and competition). These studies revealed that R. maritima life history varied east to west across the Everglades ecotone, driven by multiple gradients in abiotic factors that constrained different life history transitions in distinct ways. Based on this examination, persistence of SAV populations from dynamic coastal environments is highly dependent on large reproductive events that produce high propagule densities for recruitment. Large productive meadows of SAV also depend on high rates of clonal reproduction where vegetation completely regenerates in a short amount of time. Therefore, in hydrologically variable systems, maintenance or increases in SAV reproduction is required for population persistence through recruitment. However, SAV communities that do not experience high rates of sexual reproduction are dependent on successful seed germination, seedling and adult survival and clonal reproduction for biomass production and maintenance. Seedling survival and to a lesser extent, adult survival, are bottlenecks that can limit life history transitions under highly variable hydrological conditions. To ensure long-term survival in these communities, management activities that increase survival and successful life history development through these critical stages will be beneficial. If not, SAV populations may become highly reduced and ephemeral, providing less productive habitat. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

La thèse cherche à comprendre les significations socio-spatiales des dynamiques conflictuelles relatives à l'environnement en territoire lagunaire pour apprécier ses effets en termes de gouvernance environnementale. L'analyse porte sur les raisons et la genèse des oppositions d'acteurs à l'œuvre autour de la lagune de Bizerte (Tunisie) et de l’étang de Berre (Marseille). Mettre l’accent sur les conflits représente un enjeu pour la mise en place d’une gestion intégrée des zones humides. Ce sujet a été travaillé par d’autres chercheurs, cependant, il reste d’un intérêt majeur, d’une part, parce qu’il renforce la connaissance en la matière, et d’autre part, parce que le territoire étudié est original. La recherche pose plus particulièrement la question des éventuelles incidences que les conflits peuvent avoir sur les organisations et les institutions en place. L’action publique est-elle renouvelée suite à l’émergence ou à la régulation des conflits ? Ces questionnements se réfèrent à des enjeux de sociétés, actuels et majeurs, sur un territoire en mutation extrêmement rapide : la lagune de Bizerte, sur la rive Sud de la Méditerranée, dans un pays où le régime est en pleine transition. Cette recherche ouvre des perspectives dans l'étude du potentiel d'émergence de la démarche participative et de l'intégration sociale de la question environnementale sur des territoires littoraux, urbains ou ruraux. / The dissertation seeks to recognize the socio-spatial meanings of dynamic conflicts related to the environment in the lagoon and to assess its effects in terms of environmental governance as well. The analysis concentrates on the reasons and the genesis of the actors’ oppositions at work around the lagoon of Bizerte (Tunisia) and the pond of Berre (Marseille). Putting the light on these conflicts represents an issue for the integrated wetland management. This topic has been tackled on by other researchers. However, it remains a major interest due to the knowledge and the originality of the territory. Particularly, the thesis raises the question of the potential impacts that conflicts can have on organizations and institutions in place. In fact, is it possible that public action will be renewed to follow the emergence or conflicts regulation? This question is tied to the challenges of the current and major companies and to an extreme rapidity of territory changing: Bizerte’s lagoon is situated on the southern shore of the Mediterranean and in a country where the regime is in continuous transition. This research covers the ground to study the potential emergence of the participative approach and the social integration of environmental issues in coastal, urban and rural territory.

In an attempt to address the seeming imbalance within studies of rural communities in Australia linked to primary industries, this study examines the broader aspects of policy changes and bio-economic imperatives in the Western Rock Lobster Fishery and the effects of the restructuring of the fishery on communities that host the rock lobster fleet. It is an innovative study in that it is one of the first comprehensive studies of industry restructuring in the fisheries sector; a study of the linkages and implications of restructuring on the social, economic and cultural facets of coastal communities in Western Australia. Globalisation in the fishery sector, aided by technological advances, has resulted in a greater exploitation of high-value fisheries for export. Intensified globalisation has also brought about environmental and social standards that ensure the survival of by-catch species and promote responsible codes of fishing practice. In Australia, the active support of the government for globalisation, led to the adoption of export-oriented policies emphasising competitiveness and efficiency. Consideration of market principles thus govern fisheries regulators when deciding on the management arrangements to adopt for a particular fishery. In considering a number of policy instruments and management measures, government regulators also consider the conservation of marine resources alongside the production of significant economic and social benefits. The Western Rock Lobster Fishery is the most valuable single species fishery in Western Australia with a sizeable financial and employment contribution to coastal communities along the Western Australian coast. Any management scheme adopted for this fishery, as such, not only has to take into account biological and environmental imperatives but also economic and social objectives. The analysis of the fishery undertaken in this thesis underlines the need for a holistic view of fishery management that takes into consideration not only biological sustainability, but also promotes an understanding of fishers' behaviours and fishing patterns and the consequent effects on specific communities. The demographic and social changes that affect rural communities further complicate the economic restructuring at the fishery level, with fishers' responses differing based on their circumstances and preferences. This thesis presents a snapshot of a fishery deliberating changes in management arrangements and its effects on coastal communities whose socio-demographic and economic development historically has depended, and to a great extent is still dependent, upon rock lobster fishing. It provides empirical evidence that lends support to the view that the pro-market policies promoting competition and entrepreneurialism have resulted in a spatially uneven development in regional Australia. Specific localities can deal with the changes brought about by globalisation and policy change. However, the manner in which these communities deal and cope with these changes depends on a number of factors, among others, the level of diversification of the local economy, demographic and social structures, and other factors such as the level of resilience and the social capital base within the community.

The purpose of Oregon's Nearshore Research Inventory (NRI) project was to inventory and map the current and future use of Oregon's nearshore environment by the scientific research community for use in Oregon's marine spatial planning process. Spatial and qualitative data on the use of Oregon's ocean and coast by the scientific research community was collected using ethnographic research methods, including the geographic distribution of research, the people who are conducting scientific research, timeline for scientific research, and more. Through the NRI project, Oregon's Territorial Sea amendment process became the first marine spatial planning process in the world, other than through ocean zoning (e.g. Australia's Great Barrier Reef and China), to comprehensively recognize the scientific community as a stakeholder. This thesis contains the methods used to create the NRI database, interview the scientific community, and includes future recommendations for managers and the scientific community based on the results of the NRI. As new uses, such as wave energy extraction, get proposed along coastlines and in the ocean, marine spatial planning (MSP) can be a tool to reduce conflict and find compatible uses of ocean and coastal space. Sound science needs to be used to understand social, ecological, and economic components to ocean and coastal resources and make tradeoff decisions about ocean and coastal space use in the MSP process. The results of the NRI project demonstrate the need to recognize that the scientific research community as a stakeholder in the MSP process. Their use of ocean and coastal space helps provide the sound scientific information that is needed to make ecosystem-based management decisions. Interruptions in long-term scientific research and monitoring could limit the availability of scientific information for use in future management decisions. There are also other values to comprehensively inventorying use of the ocean and coast by the scientific community. Spatial data about where people conduct scientific research provides information for potential collaboration amongst the scientific community and between scientists and non-scientists. It also identifies data gaps, which can then be filled to help have a more comprehensive understanding of ocean and coastal issues. The NRI can act as a template for other states to include the scientific community as a stakeholder in a MSP process, and as a template for a regional inventory of scientific research which can be useful for ecosystem based approaches to management. Overall, there should be value placed on sound scientific information for management decisions and the scientific community as a stakeholder in the marine spatial planning process, as demonstrated through the NRI. / Graduation date: 2013