Coastal Biomes: Where the Land Meets the Sea

Depending on where you live (and over a quarter of the U.S. population lives within 100 miles of the sea), the word “coast” can conjure up very different images. Sandy beaches, rocky shores, coral reefs, or even mangrove swamps all qualify as coastal biomes, which are defined simply as the place where ocean and land meet. In this straightforward program, the physical characteristics of these areas are covered (including concepts such as tides and erosion), followed by an overview of both plant and animal life within various zones, and a concluding look at human impact (mostly negative) on coastal biomes. Most of the footage was shot on location in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, which offers an interesting variety of coastlines in a small area. Recommended. Aud: I, J. (E. Gieschen)