Outline of lecture

Coastal zone is characterized with high primary production and rich biodiversity in its ecosystem, but it is highly vulnerable to various natural disasters and environmental impacts. This course introduces theories on physical and environmental processes in coastal zone with advanced modeling and monitoring technologies. Emphasis is put on significance of integrated watershed and coastal zone system assessment and management.

Purpose of lecture

Coastal zone is characterized with high primary production and rich biodiversity in its ecosystem, but it is highly vulnerable to various natural disasters and environmental impacts. This course introduces theories on physical and environmental processes in coastal zone with advanced modeling and monitoring technologies. Emphasis is put on significance of integrated watershed and coastal zone system assessment and management.

Plan of lecture

1. Introduction (April 8)
- Characteristics and significance of coastal zone in land-coast-ocean systems
- Vulnerability of coastal zones by natural disaster and environmental impacts
- Importance of integrated watershed and coastal zone management

2. Physical and environmental processes in coastal zone and their modeling
- Water waves ((linear and nonlinear wave theory, nearshore wave deformation, wave equations, wave breaking & turbulence, Tsunami, tide & storm surge) (April 8, 15, 22, May 8, 13, 20)
- Currents in coastal zones (tidal current, ocean current, mass transport by waves, nearshore current) (May 27, June 3)
- Coastal sedimentary process and its control (June 17, 24)*
- Coastal environmental processes (water quality in semi-enclosed bay, coral reef ecosystem, etc.) (July 1**, 8, 15)

3. Integrated Watershed and Coastal Zone Management (July 22)
- Assessment of terrestrial impacts on coastal environment
- Integrated watershed and coastal zone management under local and global environmental impacts

(* On June 17 and 24, the lectures will be given by Prof. Kuriyama.)
(** On July 1, the lecture will be given also from 9:00 to 10:30 as the makeup class for June 10.)

Textbook and reference

none

Related and/or prerequisite courses