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The article discusses the contributions of Jim Allen as coastal geomorphologists at the U.S. National Park Service. Allen devoted his career in scientific inquiry, evaluation of management actions and activities, conservation of coastal national parks' heritage. He is considered as an expert in causes and forecasts of shoreline change, beach/dune dynamics, historical alterations, coastal habitat and evolution of geographical information system. His efforts have tremendous impact on coastal parks in the eastern U.S.

Barrier islands provide a host of critical ecosystem services to heavily populated coastal regions of the world, yet they are quite vulnerable to ongoing sea level rise and a potential increase in the frequency and intensity of oceanic storms. These islands are being degraded at an alarming rate, in part because of anthropogenic attempts at stabilization. In this article, we outline a possible sustainability strategy that incorporates the natural degree of substrate instability on these sedimentary landscapes. We recommend placing the focus for managing barrier islands on maintaining ecosystem function and process development rather than emphasizing barrier islands as structural impediments to wave and storm energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]