Coastal Management

Question 1

2 Main Aims of Management Strategies

Answer 1

Defend and mitigate against impacts of flooding

Protect and mitigate against impacts of erosion

Question 2

Hold the Line

Answer 2

Maintain existing defences

Question 3

Advance the Line

Answer 3

Build defences seaward of existing line

Question 4

Managed Realignment / Retreat the Line

Answer 4

Allow retreat but closely manage its’ rate and location

Question 5

Do Nothing

Answer 5

Low value land left to natural processes

Question 6

Tangible Costs

Answer 6

Costs and benefits known
Given monetary value
i.e. Houses, infrastructure, farmland

Question 7

Intangible Costs

Answer 7

Costs that are difficult to assess but that are important

i.e. Impacts downwind, visual impacts, ecosystem loss

Question 8

For a management strategy to pass a CBA, how much does £1 spent have to protect?

Answer 8

£7

Question 9

Sea Wall Advantages

Answer 9

Prevents erosion
Promenade for tourists
Flood barrier, increases height of coastline

Question 10

Sea Wall Disadvantages

Answer 10

Reflects energy, doesn’t absorb it
Unnatural looking
Expensive to build and maintain- gaps exploited by hydraulic action

Question 11

Rip Rap / Rock Armour Advantages

Answer 11

Absorbs large amounts of energy

Question 12

Rip Rap / Rock Armour Disadvantages

Answer 12

Not always same lithology as surrounding area- unnatural

Question 13

Groynes Advantages

Answer 13

Not too expensive
Works with natural processes
Increases tourist potential

Question 14

Groynes Disadvantages

Answer 14

Unnatural
Unattractive
Starves beaches downwind, increasing erosion

Question 15

Cliff Fixing

Answer 15

Iron bars in cliff face
Stabilises it
Absorbs wave energy

Question 16

Cliff Fixing Advantages

Answer 16

Prevents mass movement

Hidden structure, natural appearance

Question 17

Cliff Fixing Disadvantages

Answer 17

Cliff still eroded overtime

Question 18

Gabions Advantages

Answer 18

Decreases erosion at foot of cliff
Relatively cheap to install
Can use local beach material to decrease visual impact

Question 19

Gabions Disadvantages

Answer 19

Unnatural
Risk of injury if mesh breaks
Ongoing maintenance costs
Short lifespan compared to other strategies

Question 20

Revetments

Answer 20

Sloping wood, concrete, or rock structures

Absorb wave energy

Question 21

Revetments Advantages

Answer 21

Relatively cheap

Question 22

Revetments Disadvantages

Answer 22

Intrusive and unnatural

High maintenance levels

Question 23

Barrages Advantages

Answer 23

Hydroelectric Power

Keeps water levels constant

Question 24

Barrages Disadvantages

Answer 24

Impacts habitats and wildlife

Question 25

Offshore Reefs

Answer 25

Man made Causes waves to break early Creates calmer water near shore

Question 26

Offshore Reef Advantages

Answer 26

New habitats | Involves natural processes

Question 27

Offshore Reef Disadvantages

Answer 27

Destroyed in heavy storms May contaminate local water Regular replenishment if eroded swiftly

Question 28

Overall conclusions about Hard Engineering

Answer 28

Long lasting and effective over planned lifespan Expensive to build and maintain Impact other coastal areas Eyesore, spoils landscape and habitats

Question 29

Beach Nourishment Advantages

Answer 29

Relatively cheap Easy to maintain Natural looking Increases tourism as larger beach

Question 30

Beach Nourishment Disadvantages

Answer 30

Constant maintenance due to LSD

Question 31

Dune Regeneration Advantages

Answer 31

Maintains coastal environment Relatively cheap and sustainable Important habitats

Question 32

Dune Regeneration Disadvantages

Answer 32

Time consuming to plant | People negatively respond to being kept off dunes

Question 33

Managed Retreat Advantages

Answer 33

Development of beaches and salt marshes | Low cost for low land value

Question 34

Managed Retreat Disadvantages

Answer 34

Compensation for farmland | Habitat loss

Question 35

Land Use Management Advantages

Answer 35

Only low value land eroded

Question 36

Land Use Management Disadvantages

Answer 36

Potential loss of tourism

Question 37

Do Nothing Advantages

Answer 37

Natural Fairly cheap Sediment moves downwind, benefits other areas

Question 38

Do Nothing Disadvantages

Answer 38

Compensation | Habitat loss

Question 39

Overall conclusions for Soft Engineering

Answer 39

Works with the environment More sustainable Arguably less effective

Question 40

Shoreline Management Key Points

Answer 40

22 in UK, roughly align with cells Long term management Live documents- reviewed and updated Research for future strategy development Policy and agenda for coastal defence management

Question 41

Integrated Coastal Zone Management Key Points

Answer 41

Can adapt to change- closely monitored CBA- economically viable Constant information collection- continually improved 'Live' sheets, improvements logged for future reference

Question 42

Cycle for Integrated Coastal Zone Management

Answer 42

Planning (CBA) Decision Making (stakeholders consulted) Manage, Monitor, Implement Information Collection (improve)

Question 43

When was Integrated Coastal Zone Management created?

Answer 43

1982 Earth Summit

Question 44

Main focus of Integrated Coastal Zone Management

Answer 44

Community involvement