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  • Reference work
  • © 2019

Encyclopedia of Coastal Science

  • Broadly interdisciplinary in its treatment of coasts, abundantly illustrated with line-drawings and photographic Appendix listings of databases, journals and organizations
  • Unites many aspects of coastal sciences that can only be found scattered among scientific literature
  • Offers over 327 entries contributed by over 280 well-known specialists in their respective fields
  • Suitable for students, professionals in oceanography, geology, ecology, geography, civil engineering, as well as informed lay readers
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series (EESS)

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Table of contents (327 entries)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxxvi
  2. A

    1. Accretion and Erosion Waves on Beaches

      • Douglas L. Inman, Scott A. Jenkins
      Pages 1-4
    2. Africa, Coastal Ecology

      • Anton McLachlan
      Pages 4-12
    3. Africa, Coastal Geomorphology

      • Antony R. Orme
      Pages 12-30
    4. Algal Rims

      • Jacques Laborel
      Pages 31-32
    5. Alluvial-Plain Coasts

      • Daniel F. Belknap
      Pages 32-35
    6. Aquaculture

      • Robert R. Stickney
      Pages 46-55
    7. Archaeology

      • Lucille Lewis Johnson
      Pages 55-67
    8. Archaeology and Sea-Level Change

      • Niki Evelpidou, Anna Karkani
      Pages 67-73
    9. Arctic, Coastal Ecology

      • Jean-François Hamel, Annie Mercier
      Pages 73-80
    10. Arctic, Coastal Geomorphology

      • H. Jesse Walker
      Pages 80-88
    11. Artificial Islands

      • Marcel J. F. Stive
      Pages 88-90
    12. Asia, Eastern, Coastal Ecology

      • Donald Macintosh
      Pages 90-105
    13. Asia, Eastern, Coastal Geomorphology

      • D. Eisma
      Pages 105-111
    14. Asia, Middle East, Coastal Ecology and Geomorphology

      • Paul Sanlaville, Abel Prieur
      Pages 111-128
    15. Asteroid-Impact Coasts

      • Rhodes W. Fairbridge
      Pages 128-129
    16. Atlantic Ocean Islands, Coastal Ecology

      • Annie Mercier, Jean-François Hamel
      Pages 129-136

About this book

This thoroughly revised and expanded edition of the much acclaimed Encyclopedia of Coastal Science edited by M. Schwarz (Springer 2005), presents an interdisciplinary approach that includes biology, ecology, engineering, geology, geomorphology, oceanography, remote sensing, technological advances, and anthropogenic impacts on coasts. Within its covers the Encyclopedia of Coastal Science, 2nd ed. brings together and coordinates many aspects of coastal and related sciences that are widely dispersed in the scientific literature.

The broadly interdisciplinary subject matter of this volume features contributions by over 280 well-known international specialists in their respective fields and provides an abundance of figures in full-color with line drawings and photographs, and other illustrations such as satellite images. Not only does this volume offer a large number of new and revised entries, it also includes an illustrated glossary of coastal geomorphology, extensive bibliographic citations, and cross-references.

It provides a comprehensive reference work for students, scientific and technical professionals as well as administrators, managers, and informed lay readers.


Reviews from the first edition:

Awarded for Excellence in Scholarly and Professional Publishing: “Honorable Mention”, in the category Single Volume/Science from the Association of American Publishers (AAP) 2005.  

 "The contents and approach are interdisciplinary and, under a single cover, one finds subjects normally scattered throughout scientific literature."

"The topics cover a broad spectrum, so does the geographic range of the contributors. … besides geomorphologists, biologists, ecologists, engineers, geographers, geologists, oceanographers and technologists will find information related to their respective fields … . Inclusion of appendices … is very useful.The illustrated glossary of geomorphology will prove very useful for many of us … ." 

Roger H. Charlier, Journal of Coastal Research, Volume 21, Issue 4, Page 866, July 2005.

 "It is an excellent work that should be included in any carefully selected list of best science reference books of the year "Summing Up: Highly recommended. "

M.L. Larsgaard, Choice, Volume 43, Issue 6, Page 989, February 2006.

 "This volume is a comprehensive collection of articles covering all aspects of the subject: social and economic, engineering, coastal processes, habitats, erosion, geological features, research and observation." ... "As with similar works reviewed, I chose to read articles on familiar topics to see if they covered the expected, and some on unfamiliar topics to see if they could be readily understood. The book passed both tests, but the style is denser and more fact-filled than most of the encyclopedias I have reviewed." 
John Goodier, Reference Reviews, Volume 20, Issue 2, pages 35-36, 2006


Editors and Affiliations

  • Coastal Education and Research Foundation, Asheville, USA

    Charles W. Finkl

  • Coastal Education and Research Foundation, Coconut Creek, USA

    Christopher Makowski

About the editors

Charles W. Finkl is Distinguished University Professor Emeritus at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida, USA. He received B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from Oregon State University (Corvallis) and a Ph.D. from the University of Western Australia (Perth). He is the Series Editor of the Encyclopedia of Earth Science Series (EESS) and the Series Editor of the Coastal Research Library (CRL), both published by Springer. He is a member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Environmental Studies published by Taylor and Francis. He is also the President and Executive Director of the Coastal Education & Research Foundation [CERF], an international marine science organization, that publishes the Journal of Coastal Research (JCR) of which he was a co-founding editor and has been Editor-in-Chief for 35 years. He has published numerous scientific papers and reports and is an editor or contributing author to several books. He is a certified professional in geological sciences (CPGS), soil science (CPSSc), and wetland science (PWS), and a Chartered Marine Scientist (Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology). He is the recipient of the International Beach Advocacy Award presented by the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association (Tallahassee, Florida); George V. Chilingar Medal of Honor, in recognition of important contributions to sciences and engineering (Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, USA Section (Los Angeles, California); Life Time Commitment to Coastal Science Award, in recognition of contributions to the advancement of coastal sciences and global coastal issues through the Journal of Coastal Research (JCR) and the International Coastal Symposium (ICS); Morrough P. O’Brien Award, in recognition of dedication to coastal research, beach protection, and dissemination of coastal information by the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA). Charlie was an editor, co-editor, or author ofmany entries in several volumes in the EESS (i.e. Encyclopedias of: Soil Science; Applied Geology; Field and General Geology; Mineralogy; Beaches and Coastal Environments; Coastal Science; Environmental Science; Natural Hazards; Marine Geosciences); Editor of Soil Classification (Benchmark Papers in Soil Science); numerous entries in Funk and Wagnall’s New Encyclopedia (1983, 1989), and Compton’s Encyclopedia (Encyclopedia Britannica) (1986).

Christopher Makowski is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton, Florida, USA) and has earned degrees with an emphasis in remote sensing of biogeomorphological resources (Ph.D.) and marine ecosystem diversity and conservation (M.Sc.). For the past decade, he has served as the Senior Vice President and Assistant Director of the Coastal Education and Research Foundation, Inc. (CERF) and the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the internationally published Journal of Coastal Research (JCR). He has published numerous peer reviewed papers, authored several chapters, and co-edited and/or contributed to various volumes in Springer's Coastal Research Library (CRL) Series. In addition to these accomplishments, he is professionally recognized by the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS), served as the Assistant Director of the Marine Science and Biological Research Division at the coastal engineering firm, Coastal Planning & Engineering (CPE), and held the position of Principle Marine Scientist for the municipality of Collier County, Florida, U.S.A. In addition to his academic and professional career, Dr. Makowski is also a certified Master Scuba Diver Trainer through the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). Other professional registrations and certifications include: Journal of Coastal Research (JCR) Editorial Board Member, The International Society for Reef Studies (ISRS) Member, The Florida Association of Environmental Professionals (FAEP) Chapter Member, American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) Registered Diving Safety Officer, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Member, Coastal Education and Research Foundation (CERF) Board of Directors (Trustees), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Certified Marine Mammal and Protected Species Observer, Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor, PADI Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty Instructor, Emergency First Responder (CPR/FirstAid/AED) Instructor, PADI Specialty Underwater Photographer Instructor, and Divers Alert Network (DAN) Sustaining Member.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 449.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 649.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access