Life in coastal sand dunes, salt marshes and shingle banks presents a variety of challenges to their inhabitants. By describing the interactions of coastal organisms with the physical processes shaping the granular deposits within and on which they live, the authors illuminate many aspects of adaptation, population dynamics, community ecology, zonation and ecophysiology. A wide range of biological principles and geomorphological features are illustrated and there is lively discussion of the relevant aspects of applied biology, environmental threat and conservation management. Well-chosen...