4. UK Evolving Physical Landscape: Human Activity at the Coast

Question 1

What are the Human Activities that have Direct and Indirect effects on the Coast?

Answer 1

Direct - immediate result of human activity e.g. coastal defences prevent erosion

Indirect - happens as result of direct effects e.g. coastal defences prevent erosion, which may then happen further down the coast.

Question 2

What impact does Agriculture have on the Coast?

Answer 2

Direct impact

Low economic value therefore unprotected

Changing use of farmland - effects stability of cliffs

Vegetation - bind soil - stabilise cliff tops - removing can leave vulnerable to weather and wind

Marshland reclaimed / drained for agricultural use - reduces natural flood barrier

Question 3

What impact does Development have on the Coast?

Answer 3

Housing, Hotels, Infrastructure etc - coastal defences for protection of homes and businesses - positive effect on the coastline

Indirect effect - change of transportation and deposition of materials along coast.

Building on coastal lowlands can restrict sediment supply to beaches making narrower - less protection for coast so vulnerable to erosion

Question 4

What impact does Industry have on the Coast?

Answer 4

Coast quarries - expose rock - vulnerable to chemical weathering and erosion

Sand and gravel removed from beaches for construction - eroded beach - less protection for coastline

Industry at ports - build on salt marshland which provide flat land and sheltered water- removes the natural flood barriers - leaving land vulnerable to erosion

Question 5

What impact does Coastal Management have on the Coast?

Answer 5

Protection coastal landscapes from impact of erosion

May alter sediment movement - reduces amount of protective beach material being deposited along coast - less protection to erosion.

Defences had direct impact on reducing erosion along the coast where built