Waltham, Nathan J., and Sheaves, Marcus (2015) Expanding urban and industrial development in tropical seascapes necessitates green engineering and spatial planning thinking. Environmental Science and Technology, 49 (5). pp. 2598-2599.

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Abstract

[Extract] The coastal zone functions as an interconnected habitat complex that provides critical nursery and feeding services for the health and longevity of fisheries production. Protection of this habitat complex is always preferred for biodiversity protection and conservation. The World Wildlife Fund recently (2014) finalized the "Living Planet Report" (http://wwf.panda. org/about_our_earth/all_publications/living_planet_report/), and outlined that the collateral damage of human population growth and development, in addition to climate change, continues to threaten the utility of freshwater and coastal wetlands as critical habitats (Figure 1). These threats are most apparent in the tropics (N 23.4378°, S 23.4378°) where biodiversity is greatest, but also where most of the population growth and development is anticipated over the next few decades. In reaction to these conclusions, we advocate that protection of tropical coastal ecosystems under a business-asusual approach is impracticable. Resilience and protection of coastal services necessitates targeted scientific research on the full range of created habitats. In addition, all new development approvals need eco-friendly engineering designs. Climate change and rising sea level need to be also considered as part of marine spatial planning initiatives. This more inclusive approach would enhance the resilience of tropical coastal systems leading to more robust ecology that is better able to accommodate expected future landscape scenarios.

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