Economic growth is a critical priority for most countries but poses many potential environmental problems. Environmental problems are of special concern for many coastal areas due to rapid increases in population in coastal areas; substantial growth in tourism and industry; the use of coastal areas as dumping grounds for wastes of all kinds; the high level of productivity of the ecosystems at risk (saltmarshes, mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass beds); and the high degree of biological diversity of coastal areas. Common marine-related environmental problems include reduced abundance and diversity of fish and wildlife due to reduced water quality and loss of habitat and other natural resource functions provided by mangroves, coral formations, and other natural environments. Other coastal area concerns include large-scale deterioration of attractive coastal vistas.