Coasts and natural systems Flashcards
coastal environments are
open systems
coastal systems as open systems contain
inputs, components, transfers and outputs
when there is a balance between the inputs and outputs in a system it is said to be
in a state of dynamic equilibrium
if one of the elements in a system which is in dynamic equilibrium changes, but there is no corresponding change, then the equilibrium is upset in what is called
feedback
negative feedback is when a change in a system
counteracts the change which first disrupted equilibrium in the first place
coastal landscapes are an example of
geomorphological environments
geomorphological environments consist of a constantly changing array of
erosional and depositional landforms
erosional and depositional landforms are the result of
the continuous change in the elements of a coastal system as they push towards dynamic equilibrium
inputs of coastal landscapes include: (4 items)
- energy (from waves, wind, tides, and sea currents)
- sediment
- geology of coastline
- sea level change
erosional processes of the coastline include ( 4 items)
hydraulic action
abrasion
attrition
solution
erosional components of a coastline include ( 7 items)
cave, arch stack, stump
wave cut platform
headlands
blowholes
wind and water transfers include: (5 items)
traction saltation suspension solution long shore drift (LSD)
depositional components include: ( 7 items)
beach spit, bar or tombolo mud flat salt marsh sand dunes
outputs of a coastal system include: (3 items)
dissipation of wave energy
accumulation of sediment above the tidal limit
sediment removed beyond local sediment cells
a coast is
the part of the land near the sea; the edge of the land
