Abstract:
The Coastal Typology Dataset is a project of the Land-Ocean
Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) program of the International
Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP).
The purpose of the project is to establish a global coastal zone
typology based upon available scientific information, both descriptive
... and dynamic. Such a dataset allows grouping of the world's coastal
zone into clusters of discrete, scientifically valid units based on
both natural and socio-economic features and processes. Since not all
areas can be sampled, a rational approach to LOICZ studies must
involve identifying the major categories of coastal units and ensuring
that each grouping is adequately represented in the data sets used for
preparing global syntheses.
In addition, the typology will be used as the basis for encouraging new
research projects in coastal types that are under-represented in
current research activities and for analyzing and reporting results on
a regional and global basis.
The geographic focus is the world coastline between 50 meter elevation
and 50 meter depth contours. This world coastal region is divided into
1-by-1 degree grid cells. In total there are 9362 cells. The data
layers are available for use in geographic information systems (GIS).
[This information was obtained from the IGBP LOICZ International
Project Office web pages at Netherlands Institute for Sea Research
(NIOZ).] 
