The term "coastal zone" refers to the broad transition area where the land meets the sea. Florida’s coastal zone areas are ecologically complex and extremely dynamic environments. They consist of a number of distinct coastal ecosystems, ranging from sandy beaches and barrier islands, to maritime forests, salt marshes, mangrove shorelines and even coral reefs.

In addition, Florida’s coastal areas are subject to a number of natural forces and processes, such as wind and wave action, hurricanes and tropical storms and a rising sea level.