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  • Biodiversity Action Plan Report
  • Biodiversity Baseline report
  • Streamlining European Biodiversity Indicators
  • State of the Environment Report
  • The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity
 

Folder Coastal

 

 

The coastal zone is the environment which results from the coexistence of two margins: coastal land, defined as the terrestrial edge of continents; and coastal waters, defined as the littoral section of shelf areas (EEA, 2006). The terrestrial portion of the coastal zone is defined by an area extending 10 km landwards from the coastline. The marine part of the coastal zone is defined as a zone extending 10 km offshore (EEA, 2006).

 

According to the CBD 50% of the world’s population will live along coasts by 2015, putting unsustainable pressures on coastal resources. Compared with the other continents, Europe has a large continental shelf and a relatively long coastline in relation to its land area. Nearly half of the population of EU countries with a sea border is located in coastal regions (Eurostat, 2009).

Between 1990 and 2000, artificial surfaces in coastal zones increased in almost all European countries. The highest increase in artificial surfaces (20-35%) has been observed in the coastal zones of Portugal, Ireland and Spain. In 2000 the share of area covered by artificial surfaces was 25% higher on the coast than inland (EEA, 2006).

 

Coastal habitats are those above spring high tide limit (or above mean water level in non-tidal waters) occupying coastal features and characterised by their proximity to the sea, including coastal dunes and wooded coastal dunes, beaches and cliffs. (EUNIS habitats classification)

 

With regard to the focus on biodiversity aspects of coastal ecosystems those habitats which always occur along the coast including marshes, sea cliffs, intertidal habitats and coastal dunes are of special interest. In addition some marine habitats which always occur adjacent to the coast, such as large bays, have to be included as well.

From the 231 target habitats types of the Habitats Directive, 50 habitat types can be classified as coastal habitat types. Thereof only 8% are assessed as being in good conservation status, for 22% the conservation is even unknown and the majority (70%) is in unfavourable conservation status.

Around 130 species of European interest, namely those listed in the Annex of the EU Habitats Directive, are linked to coastal ecosystems. According to the current knowledge 16% of Reptiles and 20% of Mammals are threatened (IUCN European Red list). Only 11% of the coastal species have a favourable conservation status assessment, for 56% the conservation status is unfavourable.

 

Further reading: 

 

Selected links:

Integrated Coastal Zone Management

Life projects on coasts, seas and fisheries

WISE - water quality in transitional, marine and coastal waters

EEA coasts and seas homepage

EEA coasts and seas data service