Coastal Environments on a Local Scale: The Coastal Proceses, Landscape and Sustainable Management of Pevensey Bay, East Sussex Flashcards
What type of land does Pevensey Bay occupy?
It occupies a low-lying area of softer sediments between standstone geology to the east at Hastings and chalk at the South Downs to the west.
What has created a natural shingle barrier?
Natural processes, sea level rise and longshore drift over the course of thousands of years.
In which direction is the longshore drift action?
From west to east.
For how long does the shingle bank extend?
It extends fro 9km between Eastbourne and Bexhill.
What has the shingle bank remained as?
It has remained as a natural defence to flooding.
Why is it difficult to manage this stretch of coastline?
The settlements need the coast to stay in the same position but it is changing everyday. Climate change is increasing sea levels and storm frequency and it is difficult to balance the costs with the needs of the residents and sustainability.
How many properties are protected by the current sea defences?
10,000
What is the size of the area that is protected from permanent flooding because of the sea defences?
50km2 and includes the area of Pevensey Bay.
What type of sites are being protected?
Commercial and recreational sites.
What road is being protected by the sea defences?
The A259 coast road is protected?
The train line from Hastings to where is being protected by current sea defences?
From Hastings to Portsmouth
What special sites are being protected by the sea defences?
Two nature reserves and a SSSI wetland site.
What type of farms are being protected by the sea defenced?
Both livestock and arable farming.
Where do the prevailing winds move beach material to?
The prevailing wind moves beach material from southwest to the northeast.
What does the prevailing wind create?
It creates beaches that are more parallel to the waves.
What happens to the beach profile during major storm events?
The beach becomes flatter which creates beach profiles that reduce wave energy thereby stopping waves from reaching the shingle bank. This therefore reduces the flood risk.
What is becoming increasingly irregular?
The movement of sediment is becoming increasingly irregular.
What is the net loss of beach each year?
The net loss of beach is 25,000m3 each year.
Which is bigger: the risk of erosion or the risk of flooding?
The risk of flooding is bigger here.
Why are soft engineering defences more effective?
They are more effective because flooding is the biggest risk and soft man-made defences that are made out of sand and shingle are more effective at breaking up and absorbing wave energy.
What is a PPP?
This is a public-private partnership and is the country’s first coastal management scheme to be organised and maintained by this.
When did the project begin?
It began in 2000.
Why did the project begin?
It began because in 1997 it was realised that there was a 1 in 20 year chance a storm event could breach the shingle beach.
Who was the contract awarded to?
It was awarded to a consortium called Pevensey Coast Defence Ltd (PDCL).
