One of the major challenges in establishing and maintaining a global network for observa- The detection, attribution and prediction of tions of global change is ensuring adequate global and large scale regional change have spatial and temporal extent of the observations. become goals for numerous national and multi- In this article, we describe initial steps toward national organizations. The United Nations con- the development of a global coastal observing tributes to these goals through its Global Obse- system by reviewing (1) the general concerns of ing Systems. The observing systems are divided observing systems and more speci?cally coastal into three major programs: Global Terrestrial in situ observations, (2) the de?nition and Observing System (GTOS), Global Ocean delineation of the coast by potential users, and Observing System (GOOS), and Global Climate (3) the application of a sentinel system frame- Observing System (GCOS). The coast is one area work as a means to identify and establishing a where global change appears critically important network to meet observing system goals. This and where interaction among the observing s- work stems from one of the phase 1 priority tems is essential for effectively meeting their products of the C-GTOS plan ''Management of goals. Both GOOS and GTOS are developing conservation and cultural sites in the coastal coordinated coastal programs and contributing to zone'' (FAO, 2005). the Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS), the observing system strategy fostering cooperation among various UN and national Need for in situ networks and issues partners, including space agencies.

This interdisciplinary volume comprehensively reviews recent developments in wetland science and global change. The aim is to identify gaps, problems and successes in the integration of scientific issues into lagoon and coastal wetland management. The major strength of this volume is that it integrates several fields of research including climatology, hydrology, geomorphology, ecology and biology. By adopting such a structure, the reader is provided with an updated insight of impacts, changes and alteration of coastal lagoons and wetlands deriving from local anthropogenic pressures and global processes, e.g. coastal erosion, sea level rise, flooding and biological invasions. The recent evolution of lagoons and coastal wetlands is analysed, including population and community dynamics, biogeochemical processes and pollution, key biological elements and related indicators. Significant issues, as flooding and ecological risk assessment, are framed into coastal dynamics considering local specific and more general situations. Lagoons and wetlands are also analysed as sentinel ecosystems for developing coastal observations of global change. This book will therefore provide a reference work for wetland scientists, as well as for policy and decision makers involved in coastal lagoons and wetlands management.