coastal management part 2 Flashcards
- define Medmerry
the flat, low lying land at medmerry, near chichester in southern england, is mainly used for farming and caravan parks. In the past, it was protected by a low sea wall.
the land is of relatively low value, so the sea was allowed to breach the sea wall in 2013 and flood some of the farmland
- describe medmerry managed retreat
costing £28 million, this managed retreat scheme will:
create a large natural saltmarsh helpt to protect surrounding farmland and caravan parks from flooding establish a wildlife habitat and encourage visitors to the area
embankments have been built inland to protect farmland, roads and settlement. alteration of the coastline like this is called coastal realignment
- where is lyme regis
lyme regis is a small coastal town in Dorset, on englands south coast, and is popular with tourists
what are the issues at lyne regis
unstable cliff
powerful waves from the south west cause rapid erosion
foreshore erosion has destroyed or damaged many properties
sea walls have been breached many times
- how has the lyme regis coastline been managed
the lyme regis environmental improvement scheme was set up in the early 1990s to provide long term coastal protection and reduce the threat of landslips. Engineering works were completed in 2015
- what are the key features of the lyme regis scheme
new sea wall and promenades
cliffs established
creation of wide sand and shingle beacj to absorb wave energy
extension of rock armour to absorb wave energy and retain beach
new sea wall for extra protection
cliffs stabilised to protect homes
the total costs will be over £43 million
- lyme regis positive outcomes
new beaches have increased visitor numbers and seafront businesses are doing well
new defences have withstood stormy winters
harbour is better protected
- Lyme Regis negative outcomes
increased visitor numbers have caused conflict due to traffic congestion and litter. some think the new defences spoil the landscape.
the new sea wall might interfere with natural processes and cause problems elsewhere
how does managed retreat work
a cost benefit analysis is conducted prior to a decision being made
if costs outweigh the benefits, an area of land is identified for deliberate flooding. land owners will be compensated
low earth embankments may be constructed inland to protect higher value land, property or roads. footpaths will be re routed
old sea defences are deliberately breaches to allow seawater to encroach over the land
gradually the flooded land turns into salt march, establishing an important new wetland environment. as the saltmarsh builds up, it creates a natural, sustainable buffer to the sea
cost of managed retreat
costs will depend on the scale of the scheme, usually several million pound
some low value land will be lost to the sea- this could be farmland.
local people may lose land, have to be relocated or lose access
some ecosystems may be affected by flooding
