1.a. Coastal landscapes can be viewed as systems

Question 1

A conceptual overview of:
- the components of coastal landscape systems, including inputs, processes
and outputs
- the flows of energy and material through coastal systems

Answer 1

the coastal system is open

Inputs –
Energy:
kinetic, potential, thermal

Sediment
e.g. via transportation

Processes –
marine, aeolian, fluvial:
erosion
transportation
deposition

sub aerial:
weathering
mass movement

Stores –
Landforms

Outputs –
Energy + sediment
e.g. via erosion or evaporation

Question 2

A conceptual overview of:
- sediment cells

Answer 2

DEFRA identifies 11 sediment cells along the coastline of the UK and wales – each split sub-cells

Sediment cell – stretch of coastline in which the movement of sediment is largely self contained + flows of sediment act in dynamic eqillibrium

Sediment budget – relationship between accretion and erosion which can be used to predict the shape of the coastline over time

Positive feedback – a change which exacerbates, or speeds up the effect of the original change – bringing it further away from equilibrium

e.g. storm -> destructive waves -> with strong backwash -> remove sediment from coastline -> making the beach narrower -> this reduces absorption of wave energy -> wave energy no longer dissipated ->

Negative feedback – acts to lessen the effect of the original change – restoring equilibrium within the system

e.g. destructive waves -> have the energy to carry larger sediment -> this can then be thrown onto the beach -> building up a storm beach -> this increases the size of the beach -> meaning wave energy can be dissipated better ->