Coastal management strategies Flashcards
Hard engineering definition
man-made built to control the flow of the sea and reduce flooding and erosion
Soft engineering definition
schemes set up knowing the knowledge of the sea and its processes to reduce the effects of flooding and erosion
Sea wall - definition, benefits, losses
solid wall made from concrete that reflects waves. Prevents erosion and acts as a barrier for flooding. Strong backwash which erodes under the wall, expensive
Gabions - definition, benefits, losses
wall of rock filled wire cages at foot of cliffs, absorb wave energy, cheap, easy to build, reduce erosion. Ugly, can corrode over time
Rock armour - definition, benefits, losses
boulders piled together. Absorb wave energy, reduce erosion and flooding. Can be moved by strong waves, expensive
Groynes - definition, benefits, losses
wooden fences along the coast, trap material by long shore drift. Wider beaches slowing waves, protection for erosion, cheap. Starve beaches further along causing more erosion
Managed retreat - definition, benefits, losses
allowing the sea to be natural. Cheap, easy, no maintaining, new habitats. Loose land, cause conflicts, saltwater could have a negative effect on environment
Beach nourishment and reprofiling - definition, benefits, losses
sand and shingle form elsewhere is added to the upper part of beaches. Wider beaches which slow waves, gives better protection from flooding and erosion. Taking material from the seabed can kill organisms, very expensive, has to be repeated
Dune regeneration - definition, benefits, losses
creating or restorung sand dunes by nourishment or planting vegetation. They provide a barrier between the land and the sea, wave energy is absorbed which prevents flooding and erosion, stabilisation is cheap. Protection is limited to a small area, nourishment is expensive
