Eco-morphology

Theme 6: Effect of development and use on ecomorphology and coastal habitats Is defined as the effects of human activities on coastal biotopes. The concepts upon which this is contructed are based on system processes including development in time.

Theme 6 Concept

Definition of Ecomorphology: Ecomorphology is primarily concerned with analyses of the adaptiveness of morphological features and all dependent, correlated topics such as the comparisons of adaptations in different organisms, modifications of adaptive features due to competition and other causes, structure of ecological communities, diversity within taxa, etc,Bock, 1990. This is the common definition for Ecomorphology, other definitions can be discussed in the article

Problem: Increased human exploitation and infrastructure developments in the coastal and estuarine zones influence the geo-and eco-morphology resulting in enlarged stress on coastal habitats.

Theme 6:

• Integrates research on the Effects of Development and Use on Ecomorphology and Coastal Habitats in the different European countries
• Evaulates existing concepts for dealing with habitat change and identifying obstacles to effective management, including major existing knowledge gaps
• Identifies promising technologies for recovery of habitats through the development of environmental technologies that are focused on the coastal environment.

These will be carried out in close co-operation with the coastal authorities all over Europe dealing with the practical management of the coastline.