1a) How can coastal landscapes be viewed as systems? Flashcards
- Components of coastal landscape systems including inputs processes and outputs - the flows of energy and material through coastal systems - sediment cells
Define processes
Physical mechanisms flux between stores
Define flux
Amount of change / rate of flow
Define reservoir / store
Where matter is kept in a system
Define residence time
The time that matters stay within a certain part of a system
Define lag
Delay
Define feedback
Changes in the flux of a system
Define feedback loop
Series of events; can be positive or negative
Define positive feedback
Change in flux away from equilibrium
Define negative feedback
Changing flux initially away from equilibrium then back towards equilibrium
Define static system
Insert later
Define dynamic system
Inserlt later
Define tipping point
The point where irreversible change occurs within a system
Define limit
Threshold
Define resilience
The tendency of the system to return to stable conditions despite a change in forces
List marine inputs in the coastal system
- Constructive waves
- Tides
- Ocean currents
List atmosphere inputs in the coastal system
- Wind speed / prevailing direction
- Blowing clouds carrying moist air
- Aeolian transport blowing sand
- Precipitation
- Sun
- Air pressure
List terrestrial inputs from the coastal system
River sediment Erosion + weathering of cliffs Geology Human inputs; --> nourishment --> pollution --> building works --> defences --> recreation
List of processes in the coastal system (WET ltd)
- Winds blowing material around
- Erosion
- Transportation (same 4 as rivers)
- longshore drift – moving material along the beach
- tides and rip currents moving material around
- deposition
List of stores (sinks) in the coastal system
Land forms –
- bays, headlands
- shore platforms
- geos (very narrow inlands), blowholes
- caves, arches, stacks, stumps
- beaches, spits, on-shore bars, tombolos, salt marshes and dunes
List of outputs in the coastal system
- Destructive waves
- Winds (Aeolian transport)
- Evaporation
- Humans; e.g. taking away sand for glass
