10.9 Managing coast - Soft engineering

Question 1

What are the 3 types of soft engineering strategies?

Answer 1

➢ Beach nourishment
➢ Dune regeneration
➢ Dune fencing

Question 2

What is beach nourishment?

Answer 2

➢ The addition of sand or shingle to an existing beach to make it higher or wider
➢ Usually transported onshore by a barge

Question 3

What are the advantages of beach nourishment?

Answer 3

➢ Blends in with existing beach

➢ Increases tourist potential by creating a bigger beach

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of beach nourishment?

Answer 4

➢ Needs constant maintenance unless structures are built to retain the beach
➢ Expensive

Question 5

What is dune regeneration?

Answer 5

➢ Marram grass is planted to stabilise dunes and help them to develop
➢ Sand dunes are effective buffers to the sea but are easily damaged

Question 6

What are the disadvantages of dune regeneration?

Answer 6

➢ Time-consuming to plant the marram grass

➢ Can be damaged by storms

Question 7

What is dune fencing?

Answer 7

➢ Fences are constructed on a sandy beach along the seaward face of existing dunes to encourage new dune formation
➢ These new dunes help to protect the existing dunes

Question 8

What are the advantages of dune fencing?

Answer 8

➢ Minimal impact on natural systems

➢ Can control public access to protect other ecosystems

Question 9

What are the disadvantages of dune fencing?

Answer 9

➢ Can be unsightly especially if fences become angry

➢ Regular maintenance needed especially after storms