07. Human activities on coastal areas
Where are the coastal areas featured in the video located?
What are the threats which the coastal areas faced as shown in the video?
How can the threats be mitigated?
Why is there a need to protect coastal areas?
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/climate-change-ipcc-report-carbon-emissions-peak-3365781
Is growing human population the only threat to coastal areas?
The growing population is largely the main threat to coastal areas as the increase in population puts greater pressure on land and water resources.
Also, the growing population means more coastal development, which would likely lead to the destruction of more coastal habitats and greater pollution.
However, a larger population does not necessarily lead to the destruction of more coastal habitats and greater pollution if the population is aware of the damages it inflicts on coastal environments. They may put into place measures which could prevent the destruction of coastal areas.
Although a growing human population is the main threat to coastal areas, climate change also poses a threat to coastal areas. Increased temperatures lead to rising sea levels which affect the growth of coastal ecosystems. Climate change may also bring more storms which erode beaches and alter shorelines. This makes shorelines more open to erosion.
Does human activities always present dangers to coastal areas?
Human activities tend to benefit human/ economic interests more than environmental interests. e.g. aquaculture in fish farms in the sea can interrupt the ecosystem by introducing new species to the ecosystem.
In 1980s, more than 60 000 hectares of coastal mangroves were cleared for building materials, firewood, charcoal and medicinal herbs, as well as converted these areas into shrimp farms.
However, there are human activities that work on the principle of sustainability, such activities will not exploit the coastal ecosystem and communities but will empower them e.g. in Ca Mau, Vietnam there is an alternative shrimp farming that would not require the clearance of mangroves. Nguyen Van Liem's breeding farm for shrimps lies under the vast shade of a green mangrove forest. The shrimps eat the decay of mangrove leaves soaked in the water. which is a good nutrient for various aqua species.
Hulhumale island development in response to the threat of climate change in the Maldives by BBC news.
How does the distinctive characteristics of coastal areas support a variety of human activities?
fisheries and aquaculture (Kung Krabaen Bay in eastern Thailand)
housing and transportation (houses built on stilts in Kukup in southern Johore)
Tourism and recreation (Sentosa)
Suggested Websites:
Kung Krabaen Bay, Thailand
http://www.tatnews.org/emagazine/3586.asp
http://www.organicfishery.net/Kung.html
http://www.ehow.com/list_6129655_main-shrimp-farming-areas-thailand.html
Kukup, Malaysia
http://www.fab.utm.my/download/ConferenceSemiar/JAB2009Jld15No1AR04.pdf
http://www.nalno.com/communications/50-ot/174-kukup-island-national-park
http://all4webs.com/f/j/kukupbreeze/
Sentosa, Singapore
http://www.newasia-singapore.com/places_to_go/island_of_singapore/sentosa_2007053137.html
http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Sentosa-Island-Is-Singapores-Tourist-Playground/2637932
· Many developments in Sentosa have capitalized on the coast. One such development is ONE015 Marina Club which has world-class marina facilities.
· Its marina is in a harbor with wharfs offering maintenance services for boats and yachts. It also has recreational boating facilities.
· Resort World Sentosa has also maxmised the use of its waterfront by building its hotels, museum and marine life park on the coast.
· Many tourists likes to live in resort to enjoy the serene of sea view.
· Water sports such as swimming etc can be conducted near to the coast.
· Sunbathing on the beach.
Photos taken at Sentosa 2019
Tourists sun-tanning on Siloso beach.
A group of boys playing volleyball at Siloso Beach. A girl building a sandcastle and some tourists swimming in the water.
Rasa Sentosa hotel near to Siloso beach with its own private beach and serene sea view.
Locals and tourists enjoying beach activities @ Batu Layar, Desaru in Malaysia 2017
Surfing at Qijing, Kaohsiung in Taiwan 2016
Look at the photos taken at Krabi, Thailand 2017
amazing sea view and beach for sunbathing and water sports such as swimming.
Pictures below taken by my son in April 2017.
Railey beach and chicken water. The water is very clear for snorkelling.
Photos taken by my son June 2022. There are many tourists attracted by the scenic beauty and the various water activities in Maya Bay, Karabi Thailand.
Kayaking in Pang Nga Bay near Phuket, Thailand. Photo taken in 2016
Environmental risks of marine aquaculture
https://www.precisionnutrition.com/all-about-eating-seafood
Kukup a coastal settlement built on stilts- Photos which I took in Dec 2016.
Fish farms in kukup, Malaysia 2017
Taiping, Malaysia (2018)
Fisherman village in Taiping.
Boats labelled A is the smallest for harvesting cockles and crabs. B is for catching prawns. C is the big trawlers which cannot move into the river and will be out in the seas for 10 days. B1 is upgraded from prawns to fishes.
Mangrove wood processes in the Charcoal factory. Drying takes 28 days of burning in the kiln and sealed for another 8 days. There steam is collected in the pipe and condenses back into the container next to the kiln to make into vinegar. The wood were transported to the factory by the river behind the factory.
Brunei 2017
Fisherman showing the crab trap along the mangrove
Kampong Ayer. Settlement built on stilts