Hdbk Of Beach & Shoreface Morphodynamics

A highly readable book on the nature of beaches, including the dynamics of the shoreface, surf, swash and backbeach, and globally at the regional variations in beach systems from the tropics to the poles.

The beach and adjacent shoreface are the most dynamic part of the Earth's surface. They represent a narrow zone where waves, tides and winds continously interact, producing, wherever sediment is available, hundreds of thousands of kilometres of beach systems. Beaches are also the focus of intense pressure from users and developers, and for these reasons alone a knowledge of beach systems and their morphodynamics is critical to their sustainable management.

This book is the first to:

* provide an in-depth and holistic view of beach systems, looking both in detail at the different beach zones and globally at range of parameters influencing regional variation

* examine the relationship between beaches and ancillary dune systems and includes chapters on beach ecology, safety, stratification and barrier evolution.

The book is designed for use in the classroom and the office, being aimed at university level students and coastal professioanls.

Andrew Short is an honorary professor in the School of Geosciences at the University of Sydney. Since 1991, he has been National Co-ordinator of the Australian Beach Safety and Management Program in co-operation with Surf Life Saving Australia. He is interested in the processes and morphology of coastal systems. Present research focuses on the beach and barrier systems of Australia, both in terms of the morphodynamics of representative systems in variable wave and tide environments, and in the nature, hazards and usage of all Australia beach systems.

BEACH SYSTEMS: DEFINITION AND GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE.

Beaches (A. Short).

Global Variation in Beach Systems (A. Short).

BEACH MORPHODYNAMICS.

The Shoreface (P. Cowell, et al.).

The Surf Zone (T. Aagaard & G. Masselink).

The Beachface (M. Hughes & I. Turner)

The Beach Backshore and Beyond (P. Hesp).

BEACH TYPES AND APPLICATIONS.

Wave-Dominated Beaches (A. Short).

The Effect of Tides on Beach Morphodynamics (G. Masselink & I. Turner).

Embayed and Structurally Controlled Beaches (A. Short & G. Masselink).

BEACH SYSTEMS AND IMPACTS.

Beach Modification: Natural Impacts on Beach Morphodynamics (A. Short).

Beach Ecology (A. Short & P. Hesp).

Beach and Dune Stratification (A. Short & P. Hesp).

Beach Hazards and Safety (A. Short).

LARGE SCALE BEACH BEHAVIOUR.

Barrier Morphodynamics (P. Hesp & A. Short).

References.

Indexes.