Coastwise: Understanding Britain s Shoreline

Coastwise examines the coastline of the British Isles as a dynamic environment and offers you an understandable explanation of how the coastline functions as a single entity. It is supported by hundreds of stunning photos and illustrations.
It begins by exploring how the forces of nature combine to create its physical features (and continue to do so). This is a multifaceted story that involves ancient geology and powerful ocean forces.
It then turns to the living nature of the coast, covering the unique plants, animals and other organisms whose interdependence keeps the coast alive and healthy. These amazing creatures are described and displayed in full colour.
The third part of the book looks at how humans have interacted with the coast, using it for defence, commerce and leisure. It explores these aspects from the earliest times to the present day.
The final section shows, for each coastal region, where the features discussed in the book can be observed and enjoyed, giving you a practical way of exploring the elements described in the book.
All aspects of the coast are covered, making it essential reading – or a wonderful gift – for all those who spend time on Britain’s coast. As Countryfile presenter, Tom Heap, says in his Foreword: “These pages are a practical love letter to Britain’s waterfront and no seaside holiday home should be without them.”

Table of Contents

Foreword

Author’s Note

Introduction: This Precious Stone Set In The Silver Sea

PART ONE: THE PHYSICAL COAST: Headlands & Cliffs

Beaches, Bays & Barrier Islands

Estuaries, Wetlands & Salt Marshes

Waves, Whirlpools, Surges & Tides

Coastal Rocks & Fossils

PART TWO: THE LIVING COAST: Plankton & Plants

Free Drifters & Bottom Dwellers

Molluscs & Crustaceans

The Carnivores

Coastal Birds

PART THREE: THE HUMAN COAST: The Coast As Defence

The Commercial Coast

The Leisure Coast

PART FOUR: DISCOVERING THE BRITISH COAST

Acknowledgements & Credits

Index

Peter Firstbrook gained a double-first in oceanography and geography before moving on to 5 years post-graduate research. He then joined the BBC for a life-long career in filmmaking, initially working on a 16-part series on oceanography. He is a keen sailor and the author of 6 books, including Lost on Everest which won the Trento Mountain Book Festival award.