2B.11c sustainable management

Question 1

Maldives

Answer 1

97% of the inhabited islands in the Maldives are experiencing coastal erosion

actions to help isolated, vulnerable communities

the organisation Mangroves for the Future is working with Maldivian communities to educate them on the importance of maintaining coastal mangrove swamps as a natural defence against coastal erosion and flooding

the Global Environment Facility has provided small grants to islanders to help them develop sustainable and organic farming as an alternative food and income source to coral reef fish

the Japanese government has also funded mangrove nurses so damaged mangrove areas can be replanted

Question 2

Thames Estuary 2100 project

Answer 2

intended to evaluate the risks to London.and the Thames estuary
to ensure protection from further sea-level rise and storm surges –> incl. building a larger Thames Barrier by 2070

Question 3

What is sustainable management

Answer 3

sustainable management of coasts means managing littoral cells holistically rather than managing isolated pockets of cost

also means management that meets the social and economic needs of residents and users as well as maximising environmental protection

a long-term approach that considers future threats such as sea-level rise and storm surges

this may mean abandoning coastlines
such plans may conflict with the wishes of local people, who may lose their land, home, job and sense of community

Question 4

Coastal realignment in Essex, UK

Answer 4

• the Essex Wildlife Trust purchased the Abbot’s Hall estate in Essex on the Blackwater estuary
• converted more than 4000 hectares of farmland into salt marsh and grassland
• by creating five breaches in the sea-wall in 2002

largest coastal realignment project in Europe, costing £645,000

• benefited the Abbots Hall Farm owners who received the market price for their threatened farm
• the local government avoided the costs of a Hold the Line policy
• environmentalists pleased –> protects wading bird habitats by expanding the salt marsh area

PROVIDES SUSTAINABLE SEA DEFENCES FOR THE FUTURE because the additional mudflats and salt marshes absorb incoming higher seas and storm seas without any local damage

and reduce the volume of water travelling up the Essex estuaries and creeks which could flood settlements

and wildlife benefits - new intertidal habitats !!!

SHOWS THAT THE DIFFICULT PROBLEM OF SEA LEVEL RISE CAN BE MANAGED SUSTAINABLY

BUT
West Mersea fishermen who carry out oyster fishing in the estuary were concerned that sediments would choke and kill oysters