Coastal Systems And Landscapes Flashcards
What’s an open system
A system that has inputs / outputs that originate from outside the system
How is the coast an example of an open system
Such as sediment Carried into the coastal zone by rivers
Also has outputs to natural systems such as eroded rock transported offshore by the ocean
Also has links with other natural systems
What other natural systems is the coast linked to
Such as the atmosphere eg wind for generating waves
Tectonics
Eco systems
Oceanic systems
^ these natural systems are linked together by flows of energy and by the transfer of material
How many sediment cells are there
There are 11 major sediment cells in England and Wales which form the basis for coastal management
Define an input
Material or energy moving into the system from outside
Eg precipitation and wind
Define an output
Material or energy moving from the system to the outside
Eg ocean currents, RIP tides, sediment transfer, evaporation
Define energy in a system
Power or driving force eg the effect of gravity on cliffs and wind energy transferred to wave energy
Define a store / component
The individual elements or parts of a system
Eg, beach, sand dunes, sediment
Define flows / transfers
The links or relationships between the components eg wind blown sand, mass movement processes
What’s positive feedback
Where a flow/ transfer leads to an increase in growth
Eg coastal management leading to an increase in erosion elsewhere eg groynes causing more erosion downdrift
