Coastal Flooding

Question 1

How does the height of a coast increase flood risk (local factor)?

Answer 1

Flood risk increases for low-lying coastal areas, like coastal plains, estuaries and river deltas. Low-lying land = water can seep onto land easier.

Question 2

How does the degree of subsidence increase flood risk (local factor)?

Answer 2

Areas that are experiencing isostatic shrinking are more vulnerable to coastal flooding, as are areas where drainage causes land shrinking.

Question 3

How does the removal of vegetation increase flood risk (local factor)?

Answer 3

Ecosystems such as salt marshes and mangrove forests are important in reducing flood risk. They provide protection and shelter against storm winds, floods and tsunami by absorbing and dispersing tidal surges.
1/2 of mangrove forest globally lost.