Integrated coastal management and river basin management

There are important functional relationships between river basins and coastal areas and one may influence the other. The two systems are linked through natural processes (water flow, sediment transport, energy) and human activities (urban development, rural activities, technical infrastructures, waste and pollution). The coastal zone is an essential part of a river basin. Both, river basin and coastal problems require a multisectoral approach. In some cases the two systems require a common framework of management. The goals, general objectives and principles of integrated river basin and coastal zone management are discussed.