ABSTRACT
River-dominated coastal systems are known as deltas, which are coastal accumulations of river-supplied sediment, although they also have complex interactions with waves and tides. They are often very large and act as centres for human settlement, agriculture and industry, but are also very sensitive to human interference. This chapter covers:
Deltas comprise many of the different coastal environment types that are associated with wave-dominated and tide-dominated systems, but their distinctiveness comes from the input of water and sediment from riverine sources. They are major physical constructions that occur at the coast, and are extremely important as locations for human settlement, agriculture and industry. Furthermore, they are dynamic systems, not only responding to changes in the river systems that supply water and sediment, but also to coastal processes: wave, tide and aeolian processes. They are fascinating coastal environments, often of regional if not global significance, and worthy of inclusion here.
