Coasts- case studies

Question 1

case study for coastal defences/protection

Answer 1

Sea Palling, North Norfolk

Question 2

briefly describe the sea palling case study

Answer 2

NEED FOR PROTECTION- 1953 storm= broke through sand dunes and flooded NE norfolk
less beach material to act as natural barrier against waves
HUMAN FACTORS-high value land- fens
lots of human activities/economic value
failure of previous defences
PHYSICAL FACTORS- high wave energy- strong dominant wind and long fetch
incoherant rock type e.g
weak rock struture (discordant)
strong LSD- wave orientation at an angle
sea levels rising
natural habitats
WHAT WAS DONE- sea wall infant of sand dunes, groynes at Eccles 1991 riprap
MAIN DEFENCES- hold line, 100,000 tonnes of boulders in front of seawall, offshore bars, tombola effect, replenishment 1 million cubic metres of sane
SMP- predicts no future loss= sustainable.

Question 3

Case study for managed retreat

Answer 3

Abbots Hall Farm, Essex

Question 4

briefly describe Abbots hall farm case study

Answer 4

managed retreat- blackwell estuary in essex parts of sea wall removed to allow salt marsh to develop on land previously used for farming
WHY? large areas of SM and mud-flats were being lost to coastal erosion. Impact on fauna and flora, SM are cost-effect as defences (i.e. in areas of lack of development)
the vegetation and natural gradient of land provided natural defence against future storms
HOW- sea wall breached in 3 places- allowing areas to be flooded and developed estuaries where vegetation is colonising the salt marshes.

Question 5

case study for challenges associated with development of coastal areas

Answer 5

Dubai, UEA

Question 6

briefly describe dubai case study

Answer 6

socio-econoimc needs- affordable housing, employment,reduced waste and congestion,water resources,food supply
environmental needs-flooding prevention,conservation,regeneration,sustainblemanagemnt
1997 ICZM- monitoring- coral changes of beach, cameras, scientific paper published, workshop, sediment samples grain size change, government investment.
beach tourism control- no litter, no fishing without permits
increasing biodiversity and habitat improvement- new sites for coral,reduce pollution from construction residential hotels etc

Question 7

contrasting case study to dubai

Answer 7

North Norfolk Coastline

Question 8

briefly describe north norfolk coastline case study

Answer 8

socio-economic needs- protect because tourism, recreation, beaches, salt marshes, sand dunes, diversifying economy away from seasonal tourism, reduce out-migration of young people and in-migration of retirees, build affordable housing, second homes issue prices increase, improve accessibility by vehicle-motor way,shipping and fishing, maintain defences
environmental needs-presence of nature reserves -holkham, blakeney point,
protect wildlife-marine biodiv- seals at scout head island
rare heaths and woodlands- salthouse heath
regenerate salt marshes being lost to golf courses
scenery conservation
geological sites-hunstanton cliffs-west button (mammoth and fossil findings)
build up fish stocks and aquatic life pops
scrubby sand dunes need protection