Changing Livelihoods in the Coastal Zone of the Western Indian Ocean and East Africa

Abstract

The uniqueness and diversity of natural
resources in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO)
coastal region has attracted much attention by
natural scientists, but research on the social,
economic and cultural dimensions of coastal
life and livelihoods has been limited. The vast
range of interesting and important features
of WIO-East African coastal life warrants
both single- and multidisciplinary research.
Perspectives are needed of both natural and
social science to provide comprehensive
knowledge of events and processes involving
change, as these affect coastal and marine
ecosystems and the associated options for
and constraints on viable livelihoods amongst
coastal communities. Important topics of
social science research include the rapidly
changing livelihood options under current
environmental, climatic and macroeconomic
conditions and the wealth of experience-based
knowledge on natural resources and processes
in coastal settlements.