Coastal Systems Flashcards
Where does the energy in coastal systems come from?
Kinetic (wind and waves)
Thermal (sun)
Potential (material on slopes)
What is an open system?
A system that can have energy and matter put in an taken out
What is an equilibrium in a coastal system?
Inputs relatively equal to outputs despite changes taking place within it
What is a sediment cell?
Sediment moves within sediment cells. Cells are located between two physical barriers (e.g. two headlands) to stop sediment escaping
What is a sediment budget?
The amount of sediment available in a sediment cell
What is positive feedback?
Pushes the cell away from equilibrium, one change leads to another
What is negative feedback?
A stabilising mechanism that opposes changes and helps to maintain equilibrium
How is dynamic equilibrium achieved?
Through negative feedback
