blackwater esturay Flashcards
Where is it the blackwater esturay?
An area of tidal salt marsh and low-lying farmland in Essex
Why can the Blackwater Esturay no longer be protected by revetments
Over the last 30 years it has become clear that building higher defensed is not sustainable due to ‘coastal squeeze’
How was coastal squeeze solved
In 2000 Essex wildlife trust purchased Abbots Hall Farm, they implemented a 4000 hectare managed realignment scheme by creating 5 breaches in the wall which allowed new salt marshes to form
What is coastal squeeze
As sea level rises, salt marshes respond by migrating inland. Sea defences prevent this so the salt marsh is ‘squeezed’ and would eventaully dissapear
Who were the winners of the BWE scheme
The Abbots Hall farm owners
Water quality in the esturay was improved
Important bird habitats and fish nurseries were enhanced
Why is erosion often rapid in the developing world
Upstream dams reduce sediment supply to the coast
Rapid unplanned coastal development
Destructive of mangrove forests
What percent of the inhabited islands in the Maldives are experiencing coastal erosion?
97%
Why is there potential for conflict in the Maldives
Money is being spent on protecting the capital Male, meaning isolated islands are ignored
What are they doing to combat sea level rise in the Maldives
Male is ringed by a 3m high wall. Hulhmale is a new artifical island built from coral and sediment dredged from the sea bed between 1997 and 2002, it cost $32m and is a full metre higher than Male
What is the Maldives population
340, 000 across 1200 islands
How high above sea level is the Maldives
its highest point is 2.3m above sea level. A rise of 50cm would mean they lose 77% of their land
Sustainable management in the Maldives
The org Mangroves for the Future is working to educate on the importance of coastal mangrove swamps.
The Gloval Environment facility has provided grants to islanders to help build organic farming as an alternative to coral reef fish
