The intertidal zone is a sensitive and vulnerable area, because of its popularity with man and its comparatively small area. It supports many human activities, for instance: recreating, swimming, fishing, bait-collection, using beach vehicles. Rapid population growth and development are changing the natural character of the coast, and they affect the intertidal zone and the organisms, which live there. Consequently, there may be significant degradation of the coast, serious impacts on marine and terrestrial plants and animals. Apart from the intertidal zone being the only habitat for many intertidal organisms which are specially adapted to live there, the fact that it is such a narrow strip of land makes it more vulnerable to destruction and degradation. Whether erosion, pollution or irresponsible human activities bring on destruction. Every possible effort should be made to keep the coast such that it remains something of great attraction and of great biological diversity.

A few examples of man's impact on the intertidal zone are shown below:

- Human activities associated with recreation (trampling, beach cleaning, nourishment)
Trampling is the most damaging consequence of recreational activity on the cost. There are almost no studies on the effects of trampling on intertidal beach animals, but these are expected to be negligible, especially in the dunes (Brown & McLachlan 1990).

- Vehicle impact on the intertidal zone
As the intertidal zone is generally subjected to powerful wave-induced erosive forces, it is relatively resistant to vehicle impact. However, a word of caution is necessary. Animal life on some intertidal beaches is vulnerable to Off-Road-Vehicle (ORV) traffic. The most serious effect we can observed on the dune vegetation.

- Commercial Activities
A very limited number of commercial activities do still take place on the coast, such as the harvesting of seaweed and molluscs.

- Pollution
Pollution in the intertidal zone may result from a number of man's activities. The more obvious sources include spillage of crude oil from ships at sea, discharges of factory effluents and of sewage, polluted water running off from the land and the litter left behind by holidaymakers. The effects of pollution depend not only on the type of pollutant but also on the sea's ability to clean the polluted area; pollution of a coastline battered by high waves and scoured by strong currents is far less damaging than the pollution of a sheltered bay or lagoon.

- Subsistence exploitation
The daily exploitation of coastal resources by communities who are dependent on species such as limpets and mussels for food (subsistence exploitation) is a different matter from the commercial exploitation and utilisation by the public.