coastal systems -coastal management (soft engineering strategies)

Question 1

what are soft engineering strategies?

Answer 1

.more modern approach that works with natural processes
.involves allowing natural processes to occur rather than halting them

Question 2

what are the 4 soft engineering strategies?

Answer 2

.beach nourishment
.cliff regrading or drainage
.dune stabilisation
.marsh creation

Question 3

what is beach nourishment?

Answer 3

.addition of sand or pebbles to an existing beach to make it higher or wider

Question 4

what are the positives and negatives to beach nourishment?

Answer 4

.positives -relatively cheap and easy to maintain
.positives -looks natural and blends in with existing beach
.negatives -needs constant maintenance

Question 5

what are the positives and negatives to cliff regrading and drainage?

Answer 5

.positives -drainage is most effective , can be effective on loose rock or clay
.negatives -regrading causes the cliff to retreat and drainage can dry out cliffs leading to collapse

Question 7

what is cliff regrading and drainage?

Answer 7

.cliff regrading reduces the angle of the cliff to help stabilise it
.drainage removes water to prevent landslides and slumping

Question 8

what is dune stabilisation?

Answer 8

.marram grass can be planted to stabilise dunes

Question 9

what are the positives and negatives to dune stabilisation?

Answer 9

.positives -maintains a natural coastal environment
.positives -provides important wildlife habitats
.negatives -time consuming to plant marram grass

Question 10

what is marsh creation?

Answer 10

.a form of managed retreat, by allowing low lying coastal areas to be flooded by the sea, so the salt can create a salt marsh

Question 11

what are the positives and negatives to marsh creation?

Answer 11

.positives -creates a natural buffer to powerful waves
.positives -creates an important wildlife habitat
.negatives -agricultural land is lost