Seaand

Seaand is a term encountered in some environmental science and coastal studies contexts to denote the integrated study and management of coastal zones that encompass both marine and terrestrial components. It emphasizes the interactions that occur at the land–sea interface, including estuaries, deltas, shorelines, mangroves, salt marshes, dunes, and nearshore ecosystems. The concept is often used to highlight the interconnected processes that shape coastal landscapes and their ecological, social, and economic functions.

The etymology of seaand is straightforward: a portmanteau of "sea" and "land." It is not a formally standardized term and does not correspond to a single, universally accepted definition. Instead, it appears in a variety of publications, project descriptions, and program names, typically as an umbrella idea to encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration. Because of its informal status, usage and scope can vary between authors and institutions.

In practice, seaand can guide research and policy by promoting integrated approaches to topics such as sediment transport, nutrient cycling, climate change impacts, biodiversity connectivity, and human use of coastal resources. It is often associated with frameworks that combine oceanography, hydrology, ecology, and social sciences to support resilient coastal management and planning.

Critics note that seaand may be overly broad or vague compared with more established terms like coastal zone management, land–sea interaction, or socio-ecological systems. Proponents argue that it provides a useful shorthand for interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly in projects centered on the coast’s coupled natural and human systems. See also coastal zone management, estuarine science, land–sea interaction, and socio-ecological systems.