better preservation of shoreline elements on the outer shelf and more 

 reworking on the inner shelf. This is hypothesized to be due primarily to the 

 rate of sea- level rise. 



A relative sea- level curve of Delaware, obtained from radiocarbon dates 

 on basal peats, rises smoothly from 25 m below present sea- level 10,000 years 

 B.P. The rate of rise decreases with time. Sea- level rise resulted in rates 

 of coastal retreat of 20 m/year 10,000 years B.P., 5 m/year 5,000 years B.P., 

 and 1.5 m/year at present. The long-term average rate of coastal retreat 

 throughout the Holocene was 10 m/year. In a conceptual model of constant 

 volume of net erosion per unit length of coast, smaller depths of erosion are 

 envisioned during the periods of rapid coastal retreat early in the trans- 

 gression, allowing a greater preservation potential. During the present 

 slower rate of sea- level rise and coastal retreat, depths of erosion are 

 greater, averaging 10 m off Delaware. In this situation, there is a decreased 

 potential for preservation of the coastal environmental lithosomes in a 

 continuing transgression. Changes in factors such as wave climate, sediment 

 supply, tidal range, and tectonics affect this simple model. (Authors). 



016 BIGFORD, T. E. 1989. "Sea-Level Change, Fisheries, and Coastal 

 Planning," Magoon, O.T. , Converse, H. , Miner, D. , Tobin, L.T. and Clark, D. , 

 eds . , Proceedings of Coastal Zone '89 . American Society of Civil Engineers, 

 Vol 2, pp 1333. 



Several researchers have forecast a slow yet perceptible global warming 

 that could alter sea-levels and coastal industries, particularly our 

 commercial and recreational fisheries. This paper assumes the prevailing 

 opinion that we are experiencing an unusually rapid climatic change and that 

 the next century may witness, a significant shift in our coastal shorelines. 

 It is felt that a transition period for near shore fisheries, and further 

 stress on fishery resources already burdened with numerous ecological insults. 

 This paper reviews how global climate may prompt sea- level changes that could 

 affect fish habitats, valued recreational and commercial species, and related 

 industries. (Modified Abstract). 



017 BIRD, E. C. F.. and KOIKE, K. 1986. "Man's Impact on Sea-Level 

 Changes- A Review," Journal of Coastal Research . Special Issue No. 1, 

 pp 83-88. 



The International Geographical Union's Commission on the Coastal 

 Environment identified a range of coastline changes, documented over the past 

 century on a global basis, as the outcome of the project on Coastline Changes 

 carried out from 1972 to 1984. Important among the Commission's findings was 

 the evidence for a modern prevalence of erosion on the world's sandy 

 coastline, sectors of continuing progradation being limited and localized. 

 One of the factors which has been identified as a contributory cause is the 

 possibility that a recent and continuing sea- level rise has contributed to the 

 submergence and erosion of sandy coastlines. 



In this report the topic is reviewed under two headings: (1) the essen- 

 tially local effects of structural works and coastal land reclamation on 



