Coastal Management Case Studies/Examples Flashcards
Give some key facts about The Holderness.
- In East Yorkshire
- North of the Humber Estuary
- Apart of SMP 3
- Flamborough head, made of chalk, caves arches blowhole present
Why is Holderness eroding so quickly?
- Predominantly boulder clay geology, and a high energy coastline, makes it one of the fastest eroding coastlines in Europe.
- River brings very few volumes of sediment, most is transported to Spurn Point spit by LSD.
What is the overall coastal defence strategy at Holderness, generally.
For a long time, management has been piecemeal, with very little holistic planning. Now part of SMP3, more holistic.
What are some current strategies at specific areas at Holderness?
- Hornsea (touristy area) - sea wall, groynes costing £5.2 million, concrete revetments, rock armour and beach nourishment.
- Withernsea (touristy area) - sea wall, groynes, rock armour, beach nourishment costingg £6.3 million.
- Mappleton - cost-benefit analysis finding defences at Mappleton would be cheaper than re-routing the main road that runs through. Two rock groynes, rock armour and cliff reprofiling/stabilisation.
- Spurn point - previously had defences, but damaged by storm. Not repaired.
How successful is the coastal defence at Holderness specifically at areas?
INDIVIDUALLY:
Hornsea - locally effective, aren’t affecting the thriving holiday resort, saving jobs at resort, calms concerns. Groynes quite low cost but don’t hold mud. Sea wall expensive, £6,000 per m.
Withernsea - same as Hornsea, but sea wall length limited due to high costs AND reduced access to beach. Beach nourishment needs frequent maintenance.
Mappleton - protected road which saves money, but cliff work needs constant maintenance. Also accelerating erosion south of Mappleton to about 10m a year.
Spurn point - costs saved by not repairing damage to defences. Some evidence suggests the spit will repair itself. Community of lifeboat men and coastguards had to move, possible loss of heritage coast site and important habitat.
How successful is the coastal defence at Holderness, generally?
Successful at busy areas, but consequences in other areas. Some people disagree where sea defences are located, especially of their own community isn’t protected. Difficult to please everyone, don’t have the funds, considering Holderness’ circumstances, they have successful defences.
Why is Bangladesh so vulnerable to coastal erosion?
- Most of country is very low-lying, only 1-3m above sea level.
- Intense rainfall from monsoons and cyclones.
- Mangrove deforestation.
- Triangular shape of Bay of Bengal concentrates cyclone surges.
- LIC, harder to defend.
Give some general info of The Sundarbans
- Coastal zone, extends over 10,000 km2 of Southern Bangladesh and India on the Bay of Bengal.
- Much of Bangladesh located on a river delta.
- Lots of natural mangrove forests and swamps
How was the Sundarbans surviving without human intervention?
Rivers were bringing rich sediment that shaped and maintained the mangrove forests, which sustained locals and protected from coastal erosion.
Why are the mangrove forests in the Sundarbans important?
- Wood for construction, fuel, furniture, fishing poles etc.
- Food and drink, such as shrimp, fish, crab, fruits, alcohol.
- Medicines, furs other.
- Protection from erosion, floods and cyclones.
- Animal habitats.
Threats of the Sundarbans mangroves?
- Cyclones
- Rising sea levels
- Instability of unconsolidated delta sediment
- Deforestation
- Overexploitation of resources
- Cost of management
How have the Sundarbans adapted?
- Education and training for natural disasters
- Built multi-purpose cyclone shelters
- Salt-tolerant rice varieties that can survive being submerged for over 2 weeks
- Water tight containers for possessions during floods
