1a) How can coastal landscapes be viewed as systems?

Question 1

Define processes

Answer 1

Physical mechanisms flux between stores

Question 2

Define flux

Answer 2

Amount of change / rate of flow

Question 3

Define reservoir / store

Answer 3

Where matter is kept in a system

Question 4

Define residence time

Answer 4

The time that matters stay within a certain part of a system

Question 5

Define lag

Answer 5

Delay

Question 6

Define feedback

Answer 6

Changes in the flux of a system

Question 7

Define feedback loop

Answer 7

Series of events; can be positive or negative

Question 8

Define positive feedback

Answer 8

Change in flux away from equilibrium

Question 9

Define negative feedback

Answer 9

Changing flux initially away from equilibrium then back towards equilibrium

Question 10

Define static system

Answer 10

Insert later

Question 11

Define dynamic system

Answer 11

Inserlt later

Question 12

Define tipping point

Answer 12

The point where irreversible change occurs within a system

Question 13

Define limit

Answer 13

Threshold

Question 14

Define resilience

Answer 14

The tendency of the system to return to stable conditions despite a change in forces

Question 15

List marine inputs in the coastal system

Answer 15

• Constructive waves
• Tides
• Ocean currents

Question 16

List atmosphere inputs in the coastal system

Answer 16

• Wind speed / prevailing direction
• Blowing clouds carrying moist air
• Aeolian transport blowing sand
• Precipitation
• Sun
• Air pressure

Question 17

List terrestrial inputs from the coastal system

Answer 17

River sediment
Erosion + weathering of cliffs 
Geology
Human inputs;
--> nourishment
--> pollution
--> building works
--> defences
--> recreation

Question 18

List of processes in the coastal system (WET ltd)

Answer 18

• 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

Question 19

List of stores (sinks) in the coastal system

Answer 19

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

Question 20

List of outputs in the coastal system

Answer 20

• Destructive waves
• Winds (Aeolian transport)
• Evaporation
• Humans; e.g. taking away sand for glass