The Wadden Sea area of the North Sea is one which undergoes rapid morphological changes. Under natural conditions, the barrier islands would adjust them¬selves to a rising sea level. However, be¬cause the islands are densely populated and have an important role as holiday resorts, morphological changes are un¬desirable. Coastal engineering counter-measures have been undertaken to pre¬vent beach erosion, shifting of tidal in¬lets, breaching of dune ridges and land¬ward-directed washover. The natural processes and the results of human inter¬ference including the negative conse¬quences of many of the measures are discussed in detail. The author presents the current state of research, together with the results of his own investigations. In addition, a comprehensive description of the geomorphological development and recent problems of the barrier is¬lands from Texel to Fanø is given forthe first time. The book includes 40 colour photographs and 393 figures, almost all previously unpublished. Sat¬ellite and radar imagery as well as many aerial photographs are also included. The book is intended for geomorphologists, sedimentologists, environmentalists and all those with a scientific interest in tidal flats and barrier islands.