Beaches: Form and Process

This book places research into worldwide beach environments in its geomorphological context. Having introduced the systems approach to environmental modelling, and identified the groups of processes operating on beaches, the text is structured in five parts: the first three sections provide a sequential account of the effects of these processes on the beach system; part four focuses on theory relevant to landform stability, then reviews existing empirical, analytical and numerical models; and the final section introduces a computer model and shows its application to the process functions developed earlier. In addition, over 30 specially written computer models for beach system processes are presented, and the author pays particular attention to the problems associated with our understanding of dynamic coastal environments. It is aimed at advanced students and professionals in geomorphology, geology and coastal engineering.