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Sea level rise Global
warming and associated sea-level rise may have considerable implications
the world over. The magnitude of the predicted global rise in sea-level
is not known, but the Intergovernmental Panel on Climatic Changes (IPCC)
estimates the rise to be 0.3-0.5 m by the year 2050 and about one meter
by the year 2100. The implications would vary greatly from one coast to
another, depending on local topography, climate, tectonics and use of
the coastal zone.
Some
of the most important effects of a rise in sea level would be inundation
and displacement of coastal lowlands and wetlands, eroding shorelines,
increased coastal storm flooding, increased salinity in estuaries and
freshwater aquifers, altered tidal ranges, changes in sedimentation patterns
and changed biological production.
According
to a study conducted by the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) Goa,
the problem of flooding is more severe in east coast as a consequence
of sea level rise due to low gradient of coastal topography. Global warming
may cause considerable changes in the structure and distribution of marine
habitats. Coastal wetlands and other coastal habitats may migrate inland
or respond in other ways to sea level rise, but intensive human land-use
will limit their distribution. Changes in ocean circulation, currents
and upwelling areas may affect recruitment, distribution and catchability
of commercial fish stocks.
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