Coastal Management

Question 1

Seal Wall

Answer 1

Hard

Concrete structure that absorbs and reflects wave energy, with a curved surface

Question 2

Sea Wall +

Answer 2

• Effective erosion prevention
• Promenade has tourism benefits

Question 3

Sea Wall -

Answer 3

• Visually unappealing
• Expensive to construct and maintain
• Wave energy reflected elsewhere (with impacts on erosion rates)

Question 4

Rip Rap / Rock Armour

Answer 4

Hard

Large rocks that reduce wave energy, but allow water to flow through

Question 5

Rip Rap / Rock Armour +

Answer 5

• Cost effective

Question 6

Rip Rap / Rock Armour -

Answer 6

• Rocks sourced from elsewhere (don’t fit with local geology)
• Pose a hazard if climbed up

Question 7

Revetments

Answer 7

Hard

Wooden or concrete ramps that help absorb wave energy

Question 8

Revetments +

Answer 8

• Cost effective

Question 9

Revetments -

Answer 9

• Visually unappealing
• Can need constant maintenance (additional cost)

Question 10

Offshore Breakwater

Answer 10

Hard

Rock barrier which forces waves to break before reaching the shore

Question 11

Offshore Breakwater +

Answer 11

Effective at reducing waves’ energy

Question 12

Offshore Breakwater -

Answer 12

• Visually unattractive
• Navigation hazard for boats
• Can interfere with LSD

Question 13

Gabions

Answer 13

Hard

Stainless steel traps or wire mesh filled with rock or concrete to reduce wave energy striking the beach

Question 14

Gabions +

Answer 14

• Efficient resistance to erosion
• Prevent loss of coastal soil

Question 15

Gabions -

Answer 15

• Visually unattractive
• Low habitat value
• Expensive
• Short term solution (5-10 years)

Question 16

Groynes

Answer 16

Hard

Timber or rock protrusions that trap sediment from LSD

Question 17

Groynes +

Answer 17

• Builds up beach (protects cliffs and increases tourist potential)
• Cost effective

Question 18

Groynes -

Answer 18

• Visually unattractive
• Deprives areas downwind of sediment (increasing erosion elsewhere)

Question 19

Beach Nourishment

Answer 19

Soft

Sediment is taken from offshore sources to build up existing beache

Question 20

Beach Nourishment +

Answer 20

• Builds up beach (protects cliffs and increases tourist potential)
• Cost effective

Question 21

Beach Nourishment -

Answer 21

• Needs constant maintenance.
• Dredging may have consequences on local coastal habitats

Question 22

Dune Stabilisation

Answer 22

Soft

Marram grass planted. The roots help bind dunes, protecting land behind

Question 23

Dune Stabilisation +

Answer 23

• Cost effective
• Creates important wildlife habitat

Question 24

Dune Stabilisation -

Answer 24

Planting = time consuming

Question 25

Marsh Creation

Answer 25

Soft

Type of managed retreat allowing low-lying areas to flood

Question 26

Marsh Creation +

Answer 26

Creates important wildlife habitat

Question 27

Marsh Creation -

Answer 27

Farmer lose land and may need compensation as result

Question 28

Cliff Regrading and Drainage

Answer 28

Soft

Reduces angle of cliff to help stabilise it. A steeper cliff would be more likely to collapse

Question 29

Cliff Regrading and Drainage +

Answer 29

Cost effective

Question 30

Cliff Regrading and Drainage -

Answer 30

• Cliff may collapse suddenly if dry
• May look unnatural