Coastal zones are areas of particular ecological, social, and economic value where many conflicting interests need to be resolved in order to ensure a sustainable development of this highly complex environment. Humanity has always shown a special interest in the coastal zone and a large fraction of the human population traditionally settles in or close to the coastal zone. Recent increases in coastal urban population and changes in land-use practices have led to rapid and large changes in sediment supplies and increases in nutrient, pollutant and pathogen loadings to coastal waters. Climate-induced changes in sea level are likely to increase the risk of inundation in many parts of the coastal zone. The on-going and anticipated changes pose serious risks to human health and the capacity of ecosystems to support products and services critical to the survival and well being of human populations, in developed and developing nations alike.

The Coastal Zone Community of Practice (CZCP) supports the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) in its goal to provide observations required for informed decisions concerning the coastal zone. High and immediate priorities for GEOSS are improved forecasts of sea-level rise and associated increases in coastal inundation that may be exacerbated by increases in the frequency of extreme weather.

If you are new to the CZCP and are considering to join, start by reading the Theme Report ...

More about the CZCP, who we are, what we do, and why we do it, is available here.

If you have questions, want to express your interest, become a member/contributor, or have relevant information, please go to "You & the CZCP" or contact the Co-Chairs.

[8 August 2011] CZCP organizes session at AGU Ocean Science Meeting: The CZCP is organizing Session 106 “Development of a Prototype, Science-based Coastal Information System for Routine Assessments and Monitoring of Coastal Zones in Developed and Developing Nations” at the AGU Ocean Science Meeting to be held on 20-24 February 2012 in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. See the description of Session 106 here. Abstract submission is open, and deadline for submission is October 7, 2011.

[6 June 2011] Multiple ocean stresses threaten “globally significant” marine extinction: At it first inter-discplinary workshop, the International Programme on the State of the Ocean (IPSO) consider the cumulative impact of multiple stressors on the ocean, including warming, acidification, and overfishing. The 27 participants from 18 organisations in 6 countries concluded that the world's ocean is at high risk of entering a phase of extinction of marine species unprecedented in human history. The full report will be relased later. For more information, see the Workshop Summary page, the press release, a short summary, and a long summary

[7 April 2011] Second Announcement of the DeltaNet Conference available: The DeltaNet Conference on the Impacts of Global Change on Deltas, Estuaries & Coastal Lagoons will be held in the Ebro Delta (Catalonia, Spain) on June 6-10. DeltaNet is an European network of Deltas and Estuaries, with the support of the Interreg IVC Programme of the European Union. The Announcement is available at http://www.armagedontours.com/Deltanet/. Abstract submission deadline is April 15, 2011.

[1 April 2011] Recommendations of 3rd regional CZCP Workshop available: The final recommendations agreed upon by the participants of the 3rd regional Workshop of the CZCP held on March 9-11, 2011 in San Juan, Puerto Rico are now available. Read the recommendations .... See also the Workshop Page for a html version of the recommendations.

[30 March 2011] Caribbean Marine Etiquette video available: The Caribbean Marine Etiquette video was posted in the new Coral Reef Conservation Program Facebook Page. Read more ....

[21 March 2011] GEO Newsletter reports on CZCP Workshop: The GEO Newsletter published today includes an article on the 3rd regional Workshop of the CZCP, which took place on March 9-11, 2011 at the Sheradon in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Read the Newsletter ... Read the Workshop article ...

[19 March 2011] 3rd Regional CZCP Workshop underlined relevance of Earth observations for sustainable tourism: The 3rd Regional CZCP Workshop, which took place on March 9-11, 2011 at the Sheradon in San Juan, Puerto Rico. More than 55 participants from a wide range of stakeholders in sustainable tourism in the Caribbean discussed improved Earth observation support for planning and operation of tourist infrastructure and for disaster reduction. More information on the workshop is available at the Workshop Page.

[12 November 2010] CZCP featured in the CoP document for the Ministerial Summit: The CZCP was one of the GEO Community of Practices featured in a Exhibition booth, a presentation, and booklet documenting the GEO CoPs. Download the booklet as pdf.