An all-access guide to the physical processes of shores and the impact of climate change on their delicate ecosystems.
For those with a curiosity about shores or a desire to better understand them, The Beach Book shares the basic science behind waves, tides, sea level, sand dunes, salt marshes, and beach erosion. It tells sunbathers why the beach widens and narrows from week to week and helps boaters and anglers understand why tidal inlets change. It gives home buyers insight into gauging erosion rates and provides natural-resource managers and concerned citizens with richer information on sediments, erosion control, beach nourishment, and coastal-zone development. Carl Hobbs also proposes methods for keeping our beaches healthy by discussing ways to combat erosion and the decline of habitats. Informed by the latest science and infused with a passion for its subject, The Beach Book offers an informative, useful, and wide-ranging introduction to anyone who loves, lives, and plays on the beach.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Summary
An all-access guide to the physical processes of shores and the impact of climate change on their delicate ecosystems.
For those with a curiosity about shores or a desire to better understand them, The Beach Book shares the basic science behind waves, tides, sea level, sand dunes, salt marshes, and beach erosion. It tells sunbathers why the beach widens and narrows from week to week and helps boaters and anglers understand why tidal inlets change. It gives home buyers insight into gauging erosion rates and provides natural-resource managers and concerned citizens with richer information on sediments, erosion control, beach nourishment, and coastal-zone development. Carl Hobbs also proposes methods for keeping our beaches healthy by discussing ways to combat erosion and the decline of habitats. Informed by the latest science and infused with a passion for its subject, The Beach Book offers an informative, useful, and wide-ranging introduction to anyone who loves, lives, and plays on the beach.
Description
Waves and tides, wind and storms, sea-level rise and shore erosion: these are the forces that shape our beaches, and beach lovers of all stripes can benefit from learning more about how these coastal processes work. With animation and clarity, The Beach Book tells sunbathers why beaches widen and narrow, and helps boaters and anglers understand why tidal inlets migrate. It gives home buyers insight into erosion rates and provides natural-resource managers and interested citizens with rich information on beach nourishment and coastal-zone development. And for all of us concerned about the long-term health of our beaches, it outlines the latest scientific information on sea-level rise and introduces ways to combat not only the erosion of beaches but also the decline of other coastal habitats.
The more we learn about coastline formation and maintenance, Carl Hobbs argues, the better we can appreciate and cultivate our shores. Informed by the latest research and infused with a passion for its subject, The Beach Book provides a wide-ranging introduction to the shore, and all of us who love the beach and its associated environments will find it timely and useful.
Critic Reviews
“...offers material not only for science junkies but for anyone who loves the beach experience.”
...interesting to anyone curious about the science of the shore. Library Journal ...for the serious minded beachgoer... Los Angeles Times Fascinating phenomena - from surf beat, edge waves and beach cusps to the dunes known as barchans - bob through this crisply written guide to ecology and geology at the edge. Nature Richmond Times-Dispatch It is an easy read for those who live by the shore and want a good, simple understanding of why it's there, what is going on now, and what might happen in the future... -- Andrew D. Short Oceanography Engaging and easy to read... This book helps readers understand the physical processes that form that shore... Highly recommended. Choice a good comprehensive introduction to the shore... -- Judith S. Weis Quarterly Review of Biology
About the Author
Carl H. Hobbs is a professor of marine science at Virginia Institute of Marine Science at the College of William & Mary. His research interests include coastal geology and processes, the geologic history of the Chesapeake Bay and the surrounding region, marine archaeology, and the environmental consequences of marine sand mining and beach nourishment. Additionally, with colleagues from the Center for Archaeological Research and the Department of Geology at William & Mary, he has investigated physical changes to Jamestown Island that have occurred since the beginning of the Holocene, when humans first inhabited the region.
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