1.1.10 The impact of human activity on coastal landscape systems Flashcards
What is the difference between conservation and
Preservation
Conservation - protect (something environmental or cultural importance) from harm or destruction
Preservation - maintain (something) in its original or existing state
Give an example of conservation along the
Coastline
conservation of sand dune , these are an unique ecosystem but they are a depositional feature and act as a natural form of protection to some coastline.
What is managed realignment/retreating the line?
Managed realignment is a form of conservation although there are some negative to be consider
What are the benefits of managed realignment/retreating the line?
New habitats are formed (wetland creation)
Naturalness is maintained of the coastline
Potentially a cheaper option as some land is easy to buy
How has managed realignment/retreat the line helped Porlock?
Porlock is sw of uk
Shingle at porlock acted as a natural sea wall
Porlock is an area of farmland, a barrier of shingle protecting the farmland behind the porlock bay from storm and high tides
Recently winter wave has overwhelmed the shingle ride
Natural sea defence is broken and the land behind is flooding
Eventually the high tide broke through the low part of the beach
National trust faces a dilemma should they replace the shingle at environmental cost or should they do nothing and let nature take its course
Allowed nature to take its cost . and payed the farmer as it is more sustainable
They tried to undewrstand the natural nature of the beach
What types of human activities are harming our Coastlines?
There is conflict between conservation of the environment and the need to develop the coast economically.
Human interactions with the fragile dune can enhance the erosion processes.
For example boats and swimmers getting too close to the coral reef
Boats destroying the grass on salt marshes
Tourists trampling over the dunes and flattening them
Mangroves getting cut down for shrimp farming
How are sand dunes being harmed by people?
Sand dunes are dynamic systems , constantly adjusting to variations In wind patterns and sediment supply.
The presence and stability is of fundamental importance to coastal protection but they are threatened by human activity
Dunes are Are highly fragile environments formed from uncompacted sediment and poorly bound by vegetation
Makes them vulnerable to damage from overuse and misuse,
Removal of sand for mineral extraction
Visitor pressure, trampling,horse riding ,bike
Pollution from agriculture - nutrient enrichment
Levelling for industrial development , housing, airports
Conversion (changing it ) into agriculture land
How blow out occur ?
- Dune intact with stabilizing vegetation
- Trampling by visitors begins to damage vegetation
- Plants become more damaged and eventually destroyed
- Storms and high winds remove sand causing a blow out
Break your answer down into conversion, removal, utilisation and external
Human impacts on sand dunes can be grouped into 4 categories
conversion
This involves the changing of the nature of the dunes by either changing the vegetation types or by urbanisation
urbanisation(tarmac or concrete) Agriculture Forestry
removal
This is where the sand is removed by companies and used for other uses such as making glass
Mining
Development
use
This involves using the dune as an amenity. In this instance, as a tourist attraction.
Tourism Trampling Horse riding Off road vehicles Military training
external
These impacts include those from beyond the dune environment. Coastal defences can be designed in a way that limits adequate supply of sediment reaching the dunes
Reduced sand supply
Sea defences
what happened in Erosion and stabilization of dune
in Muriwai - New zealand
Need to look after sand dune as they are home to endangered species such as nz dotterel birds
For example there is a designated road. 4 wheel drivers making tyre tracks that can enhance the erosion
Horse riding is an important popular activity and has the potential; to erode the beach
Council have fenced off walking track to prevent people walking on the dune
Originally the coastal land at muriwai was covered in natural vegetation
By the 1870s sheeps and cattle grazing began causing problems
Overgrazing the vegetation by grazing animals
How are sand dunes being managed in Ainsdale? Case study
Ainsdale sand in southport north west of england, north of liverpool
Ainsdale sand dunes national nature reserve The site was established in 1965 Protect the best example of sand dunes on the northwest coast
Today the nature reserve has many rare species Which are allowed to flourish And it provides a place for visitors to get close to and enjoy the scenery of dunes
Ainsdale reserve is a distinct place that requires specific management to allow wildlife to thrive and to permit visitors to enjoy their experience
what is their management strategy ?
The Dunes are managed in order to conserve open sand dune habitat while allowing public access and providing information for visitors
Management of the NMR is undertaken in England the light life agency for England buy Sefton Council
Each of these organisation has produced a management plan for their site
Visitors numbers at ainsdale are controlled at Ainsdale as it is a honeypot site
There are limited people in each area so they can manage them
access to Ainsdale dune is carefully controlled
Fewer visitors are allowed on the national nature reserve so providing a wildlife sanctuary access there is only allowed only by a permit
not too much human friendly but does include small information boards guided walks and illustrated talks
Access the national nature reserve if only by the three main public permitted paths and this has kept visitor numbers down
On the beach Visitor access is more formal with car parking
on the beach path are covered by Boardwalk to reduce the impact to the dune and beach area
Sefton Council has restricted parking on the beach during spring tides
