Abstract

Coastal areas, potentially among the most productive global environments, are also among the most vulnerable to anthropogenic and natural stressors. Coastal urban environments in particular are changing rapidly, largely due to human activities. Ever increasing demands on coastal urban systems for alternative energy, resource utilization, and development are occurring at the same time as coasts face climate-related pressures such as sea level rise and increasing frequency and severity of storm events. In the face of these challenges, the level of coastal degradation globally, including declines in fisheries, salt marshes and subaquatic vegetation (SAV) suggests that current coastal management practices run counter to natural ecosystem functioning and resiliency. Why? How might we manage more effectively, recognizing that “the environment sets the limits” for human activities and sustainability? This study examines selected lessons learned in coastal management and related fields and offers as an alternative a holistic science approach that we are currently testing as part of the Green Boston Harbor Project (GBH). GBH defines a “green urban harbor” to be a harbor that is managed within environmental limitations, recognizes strength in ecological and human diversities, and supports local and place-specific economic production within a regional and global context. This approach includes a recognition of the importance of “listening to nature,” the inclusion of both analytic and intuitive, organic knowledge in gathering and sharing environmental information, and an adaptive research strategy that retains flexibility for responding to uncertainties and changes. It is hoped it will provide educators and managers with an additional set of tools for teaching ecoliteracy, and to better meet a broad long term vision of integrating human activities more seamlessly within a coastal area’s physical, chemical, and biological cycles.