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Monitoring

Threats to coastal ecosystems

Major threats to coastal ecosystems from human activities as identified by UN marine scientists:

• Coral reefs -- eutrophication, sediments, overfishing, destructive fishing, reef mining, the aquarium and curio trade, diseases.
• Wetlands -- reclamation and development, including landfills.
• Seagrass beds -- siltation, coastal development, eutrophication, physical disturbance.
• Coastal lagoons -- reclamation, pollution.
• Mangroves -- excessive exploitation, clearing for reclamation, development and aquaculture.
• Shorelines -- development, modification of habitats, erosion.
• Watersheds -- deforestation, soil erosion, pollution, loss of habitats.
• Estuaries -- reduced water flows, siltation, pollution.
• Small islands -- changes in sea-level, waste management, pollution.
• Continental shelves -- pollution, fishing, dredging, navigation.
• Semi-enclosed seas -- pollution, coastal development, fishing.