Essay Structure

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

• coastline from Selsey bill to Beachy head is a sediment cell = self-contained process of transportation + erosion of sediment with a dynamic equilibrium
• therefore, any changes to one area of the coastline will lead to changes further along, making the sediment cell vulnerable to human interference
• this is seen with the sustainable management scheme from Selsey bill to Beachy head = involves the balancing of preserving the coastline, as well as protecting the social + economic growth
• therefore, it needs to be determined which area of the coastline holds the greatest value economically, socially + environmentally

Question 2

1) Hard engineering

Answer 2

• hard engineering defences in place between Selsey bill + Brighton = designed to disrupt the sediment cell that would naturally erode Brighton beaches
• Selsey bill made of alternating bands of loosely consolidated sands + rocks = little resistant against erosion caused by destructive waves concentrated on headland
• means lots of sediment is transported which groynes are designed to stop = implemented along Brighton due to seasides resort high economic + social value (give examples)
• groynes prevent LSD + instead allows the build up of sediment to protect the sea front, with additional protection provided by sea wall which refracts wave energy

Question 3

2) Beachy Head

Answer 3

• another important part of coastline = high environmental value
• protected by law as a SSSI = no hard defences allowed
• this means it needs a sediment supply to provide defence against abrasion caused by destructive waves = provided by erosion that takes place from Brighton marina to Cuckmere
• the marina prevents any material passing + effectively stops the sediment cell from transporting material further = causes beach immediately after to be stripped away = accelerates erosion
• material transported to Beachy head + deposited = essential to protect BH as it gets attacked by destructive waves which drag sediment offshore reducing cliff protection

Question 4

3) Cuckmere

Answer 4

• there is a need to sacrifice Cuckmere + allow it to erode to prevent the erosion of Beachy head = greater environmental value
• Cuckmere is a rural area, few properties + infrastructure—> therefore the cost of £1.2m to repair deteriorating hard defences is not worth it
• Cuckmere restoration project decided to restart the sediment cell + restore the natural processes = 2022-55 Cuckmere is a free functioning system - predicted to lead to 150 ha loss of land
• restoration received backlash from residents + businesses + could lead to increased flooding of A259 due for the restoration of meanders in order to revert Cuckmere valley to its natural state
• BUT - in comparison to Brighton + Beachy head it’s value is smaller

Question 5

Conclusion

Answer 5

• the implementation of hard defences as part of a sustainable management plan have caused severe disruption to the sediment cell = fast paced erosion of Cuckmere
• however, due to high socio-economic value it would not be feasible to abandon defences in Brighton
• the protection of Beachy head is also vital due to its environmental value