Loss of coastal lagoons

Destruction of coastal wetlands

Nature

The loss of coastal lagoons refers to the degradation and disappearance of these vital ecosystems, which serve as critical habitats for diverse wildlife, including fish and migratory birds. Factors contributing to this loss include urban development, pollution, climate change, and rising sea levels. Coastal lagoons play essential roles in water filtration, flood protection, and providing nursery grounds for marine species. Their decline threatens biodiversity, disrupts local economies reliant on fishing and tourism, and diminishes natural coastal defenses. Addressing this issue is crucial for environmental sustainability and the resilience of coastal communities.

Incidence

Once, much of the Nile delta was composed of marshes and brackish lagoons, protected from the sea by sand bars. Today the lagoons have been reduced by drainage, and are increasingly polluted by sewage and pesticides. Lake Maryut, once a haven for wildlife depicted in Lawrence Durrell's Alexandria Quartet, is now a cesspit for the metropolis of Alexandria. It is a very rare rare when Nile waters are allowed to pass naturally through the lagoons into the sea. Fish catches there dropped by 85% in the 1970s. The sewers of Cairo, a city of 10 million people, empty into the equally foetid Manzala lagoon. The four surviving lagoons supply 100,000 tonnes of fish annually (two-thirds of Egypt's catch) and employ 100,000 people. But these may soon disappear with the sea erosion of the protective sandbars which are deprived of silt since the Aswan dam was built in 1964.

Claim

The loss of coastal lagoons is a critical environmental crisis that demands urgent attention. These vital ecosystems support biodiversity, protect shorelines from erosion, and serve as crucial nurseries for marine life. Their degradation threatens not only wildlife but also the livelihoods of communities that depend on them. Ignoring this issue jeopardizes our natural heritage and exacerbates climate change impacts. We must act decisively to preserve these irreplaceable habitats before they vanish forever.

Counter-claim

The loss of coastal lagoons is often exaggerated and should not be a priority concern. These ecosystems, while interesting, are not critical to human survival or economic stability. With advancements in technology and urban development, society can easily adapt to changing coastal landscapes. Focusing on more pressing issues, such as poverty and healthcare, is far more important than lamenting the decline of coastal lagoons, which are merely a small part of our diverse environment.