1-Coastal Environment Problems & Impacts Flashcards
KNOW THIS
WHAT IS COASTAL DEGRADATION? GIVE TWO EXAMPLES
This whole thing is more like dot points than flash cards but whatever
Coastal degradation is the deterioration of a coastline due to human effects such as pollution, land use change and tourism. Examples of coastal degradation can include sand dunes being washed into the sea, changing the coastline, or blooms of toxic algae damaging the marine environment.
**IMPORTANT
LIST NEGATIVE IMPACTS CAUSED BY HUMANS MOVING TO COASTAL AREAS ON OUR COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS.
This whole thing is more like dot points than flash cards but whatever
-Engineering structures have hardened the coast and changed natural cycles of erosion and deposition.
-Changing the natural flow of water by deepening channels, diverting rIvers and building dams has aletered the amount of fresh water and sediment arriving at the coast.
-The discharge of sewage into the ocean, the run-off of fertilisers from farms, and other contaminants enetring coastal waters.
-increasing populationsand growing demand for seafood has led to overfishing of fish and shellfish.
-Ports are often an entry point for invasive species that bring dramatic changes to coastal and marine ecosystems.
-The presence of large numbers of people on beaches has an impact: people-litter, trample plants, destroy bird breeding areas and bring dogs that eat other living things. basically
This also is how cities can make a change in coastal ecosystems.
WHAT IS LAND RECLAMATION?
Land reclamation is the process of creating new land by dumping stilt and rocks from the sea bed into the sea. This happens when there is no land fr citis to expand so they make land. ^-^
This also is how cities can make a change in coastal ecosystems.
WHAT ARE THE THRE COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS THAT ARE DECLINING IN SIZE AND BIODIVERSITY?
The three ecosystems are coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds.
This also is how cities can make a change in coastal ecosystems.
HOW AND WHY ARE CORAL REEFS DECLINING IN SIZE AND BIODIVERSITY?
-They are in danger in because of warmer sea temps. that cause coral bleaching.
-Human activities such as land based industries that increase levels of sediments.
-invasive species
-Coastal development for tourism and cities including land reclamation.
WHAT DO MANGROVES DO AND WHY ARE THEY DECLINING IN SIZE?
Mangroves provide natural infrastructure to help protect nearby populated areas by reducing erosion and absorbing storm surge impacts during extreme weather events such as hurricanes. they help make breeding grounds for fish and crustaceans. Their dense roots help bind and build soils.
Mangroves are cleared to make for agricultuural land, harbours, housing and fish farms.
WHAT DO SEAGRASS BEDS AND WHAT ARE THE MAIN THREATS?
Seagrass beds are in important ecosystem for dugongs and manatees and the leafy seadragon . They stabilise sediments in the water absorb CO2 and protect aginst erosion.
The main threats were the developemnt of tourist marinas and water pollution from rivers
