Coastal Systems & Landscapes Flashcards Preview

Geography - Physical > Coastal Systems & Landscapes > Flashcards

Flashcards in Coastal Systems & Landscapes Deck (42)
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1
Q

Coastal system

A

A series of linked elements affecting the coastal zone through which energy and materials circulate.

2
Q

Equilibrium

A

A state of balance between outputs and inputs.

3
Q

Sediment budget

A

The net sum value between quantities of input and output of the sediment in the system.

Excess is a positive budget, deficit is a negative budget and no overall difference is a neutral budget.

4
Q

Sediment (Littoral) cell

A

A section of coastline in which sediment is recycled but not added to all lost.

5
Q

Closed sediment system

A

A coastal systems that receives no additional sediment inputs and has no losses of sediment to areas external to the system.

6
Q

Sediment sink

A

When sediment is lost to the system by transfer to a location beyond further access.

Different to sediment store where additions and removal of sediment are possible

7
Q

Negative feedback cycle

A

Where changes within the system slow down or reduce the causes of further disruption, dampening down the impetus for change.

8
Q

Positive feedback cycle

A

Where the affect of change is to amplify the original causes so that additional further change occurs.

9
Q

Dynamism

A

The degree of change taking place within the system in terms of scale and/or rate.

10
Q

Oscillatory wave

A

A wave in open sea with a full circular motion of particles.

11
Q

Translatory wave

A

A breaking wave in which the circular motion is broken by basal friction.

12
Q

Fetch

A

The length of ocean over which winds blow from a consistent direction.
(Unbroken water)

13
Q

Storm surge

A

Sealevel raised to an abnormal height beyond the usual tidal range as a result of particular short term weather conditions.

14
Q

Swash

A

The forward movement of the breaking translatory wave as it surges up the shore.

15
Q

Backwash

A

The return flow of water due to gravity as the energy of the swash subsides.

16
Q

Wave refraction

A

The changes in wave orientation and frequency as they encounter a non-uniform coastline.

Waves may be refracted (Bent) towards a feature (convergence) or away (divergence) as water depth varies.

17
Q

Tidal range

A

The vertical difference in height of sealevel between high and low tide.

It varies with the monthly lunar cycle and is at its maximum with spring tide conditions.

18
Q

Intertidal zone

A

The shoreline between the highest and lowest spring tides.

It is where the predominant wave activity occurs so is subject to most marine oration, transfer and deposition.

19
Q

High-energy coast

A

A coastline subject to maximum input; it is likely to be dynamic.

20
Q

Low energy coast

A

A coastline that has key inputs, transfers and outputs in balance and is more likely to be in a state of stable equilibrium.

21
Q

Biota

A

The distinctive animal and plant life of a particular habit or environmental zone.

22
Q

Subaerial weathering

A

Involves processes at the base of the atmosphere that cause solid rock to lose integrity, internal coherence and fragment.

23
Q

Weathering

A

The disintegration of rock in situ

24
Q

Wave-cut notch

A

A horizontal indentation at the base of the cliff where wave action is most focused and erosional processes are concentrated.

It results in undercutting of the cliffs.

25
Q

erosion

A

The degradation of rock and its removal to expose a fresh rock face.

26
Q

Cavitation

A

The opening up of cavities within cliffs as a result of stresses imposed by the breaking of ways due to pressure variations as waves crash into and then recede from joints.

27
Q

Climax vegetation

A

The dominant mix of vegetation species that characterise an environment within a particular climate region given sufficient time for conditions to suit colonisation and attain stability.

28
Q

Eustatic chain

A

A change in the relative level of land and sea due to rises and falls in the global sea-level.

29
Q

Isostatic change

A

The rise or fall of land in relation to a given sea level.

30
Q

Coastal adaptation strategies

A

Investment in measures to negate the impacts of sea level rise.

31
Q

Costal mitigation strategies

A

Investment in measures to reduce the factors responsible for sea level rise.

32
Q

Equilibrium budget

A

The sediment inputs and outputs are in equilibrium.

33
Q

Source

A

contributes sediment

34
Q

Store

A

Sediment deposition that may be added to or taken from.

35
Q

Sink

A

Site of sediment deposition beyond future potential access.

36
Q

Point source / store

A

A specific coastal location where sediment is removed from (source) or deposited (store)

37
Q

Line source / store

A

An extended line of coast where sediment is removed from (source) or deposited (store).

38
Q

Dynamic

A

A state of constant change.

39
Q

Shoreline management plans (SMPs)

A

Documents describing and addressing the risks associated with coastal evolution.

SMPs form an important part of the UK governments strategy for flood and coastal defence.

40
Q

Hard engineering

A

Strategies that are designed to intercept and impede natural Marine and coastal processes so that they are less likely to produce undesirable consequences.

41
Q

Soft engineering

A

Low-incursion, sustainable coastal protection strategies that work with nature to manage the coast.

42
Q

Integrated coastal zone management (ICZM)

A

A process for the management of the coast using an integrated approach to achieve sustainability.