4.a. CASE STUDY: Sandbanks Peninsula

Question 1

Background information on Sandbanks Peninsula

Answer 1

• West of bournemouth, SW England
• 4th most expensive place to live per/m2
• large detached houses go for over £10m
• luxury flats over £2m

Question 2

Why does Sand banks need protecting?

Answer 2

• A large number of high-value commercial properties, including Sandbanks Hotel (employment, spending in the local economy.
• in peak season sb hotel is £600/night
• the beach is a major tourist attraction [gently sloping so family-friendly swimming + blue flag award for water qlty

Question 3

Causes of erosion at SB

Answer 3

• the majority of sed is being transferred from SW to the NE
• material lost on SE end due to a deep channel out of Poole harbour [offshore current erodes and removes sand]
• prevailing UK wind comes from SW, Sb is exposed to large fetch of Atlantic ocean
• LITHOLOGY; soft sandstone cliffs are vulnerable to hydraulic action when spring tides combine with stormy weather [high freq of storms]

Question 4

econ reasons for management

Answer 4

• erosion concentrated around the eastern end threatens real estate [£75m of housing overlooking Poole harbour threatened by erosion + rising sea levels]
• 10 metres of sand removed from Studland bay making it; less appealing to tourists = businesses along promenade lose rev.
• more spending on beach nourishment

Question 5

Social Reasons for Managment

Answer 5

• 20/02/14 a 20 meter wide strip of cliff fell across the promenade closing it for the weekend and rendering the land unusable.
• constant erosion jeopardises the blue flag status of beach [top selling point of sb]
• eroded England beach soccer pitch; goals 1m high.

Question 6

Environmental reasons for management

Answer 6

• salt marshes in Poole harbour degenerating
  = decreasing bio-diversity
  = less effecting at natural coastal defence = more money spent on sea defence.

Question 7

management strategies

Answer 7

• 2005 1/2 a million tonnes of sand was rainbowed along Pooles beaches £20/m2
• 2000-2001 - 4 new rock groynes + rebuilding existing ones
• 2500m2 of new sand dune created artificially from dredged sand

Question 8

purpose + effects of these managment strategies

Answer 8

1. groynes;
   help retain beach material moved by longshore drift, preventing the harbor entrance from silting up and maintaining shipping lanes, as well as building up the beach.
2. Beach nourishment
   combat erosion and increase beach width, protecting sea walls and extending their lifespan, as well as enhancing public safety and amenity

3.dune regeneration
provides natural coastal protection, creates habitats for wildlife like the sand lizard

Question 9

specific examples of success of these management strategies

Answer 9

1. Wider Beaches:
   The beach at Sandbanks has been increasing in size due to groynes and beach nourishment, providing a wider buffer against erosion and protecting sea walls.
2. Harbor Protection:
   Groynes have successfully intercepted longshore drift, preventing sediment from infilling the harbor entrance and maintaining the port’s functionality.

3.ncreased Dune Area:
h dunes spreading further along the coastline and becoming well-established.

Question 10

Challenges and Ongoing Efforts

Answer 10

Maintaining Dune Ecosystems:
While dune regeneration is successful, there are ongoing challenges in managing dune growth, which can impact local residents and potentially limit the use of the beach.

Addressing Overdevelopment:
recent efforts to ban overdevelopment to preserve sea views and protect the natural environment.

Adapting to Future Climate Change:
As sea levels rise and storm intensity increases, it’s crucial to continue to monitor coastal defenses and adjust management strategies accordingly.