1.a. Coastal landscapes can be viewed as systems Flashcards
What is the definition of a system?
A system is a set of interrelated objects comprising components (stores) and processes (links) that are connected together to form a working unit or a unified whole.
What is the definition of scale?
A scale is present e.g. in coastal landscape systems stores transferring energy and material on time scales that can vary from a few days to millennia.
What is the definition of kinetic energy?
Kinetic energy is the capacity to do work as a result of motion.
What is the definition of potential energy?
Potential energy is the capacity to do work that a body possesses by virtue of its position and that is potentially transformable into another form of energy.
What is the definition of thermal energy?
What is thermal energy the capacity to do work as a result of heat.
What is the definition of geomorphic?
Geomorphic relates to the form of the landscape and other natural features of the Earth’s surface.
What is the definition of an open system?
An open system is a type of system whose boundaries are open to both inputs and outputs of energy.
What is the definition of a closed system?
A closed system is a type of system whose boundaries are closed to both inputs and outputs of energy.
What is an input?
An input is an addition of energy and/ or materials to a system.
What are examples of inputs?
Input examples include: waves, tides, salt spray, sun, air pressure, wind speed and direction, pollution, recreation, settlement, defences. etc
What is the definition of an output?
An input is the transfer of energy and/ or materials out of a system.
What are examples of outputs?
Outputs examples include: ocean currents, rip tides, sediment transfer, evaporation. etc
What is the definition of a store?
Stores are materials contained within a structure.
What are examples of a store?
Store examples include: Beaches, sand dunes, spits, bars, cliffs, caves, arches, stacks. etc
What is the definition of a throughput?
A throughput is the movement of materials between structures.
What are examples of throughputs?
Throughput examples include: longshore drift, weathering, mass movement .etc
What is the definition of equilibrium?
Equilibrium is used to describe geomorphic systems that can adjust to changes by reaching a steady state.
What is the definition of dynamic equilibirum?
Dynamic equilibrium is a lack of change in a system as inputs and outputs become in balance.
What is the definition for negative feedback?
Negative feedback decreases the amount of change by reducing some of the inputs, returning the system stability.
What is the definition of sediment cells?
Sediment cells are areas along a coastline and in the nearshore area where the movement of materials is largely self-contained.
How many sediment cells are there on the coast of England and Wales?
There are 11 sediment cells on the coast of England and Wales.
What is the definition of a coastal landmark?
A coastal landmark is a large physical structure situated on the coast.
What separates sediment cells on the coast of England and Wales? Give examples
In England and Wales there is a coastal landmark separating each sediment cell e.g. Land’s End.
How would equilibrium exist in a coastal landscape?
In a coastal landscape, equilibrium will be in place when there is an equal mean rate of sand being added and taken from the beach.
