Coasts as natural systems

Question 1

Is the coast an open or closed system?

Answer 1

Open system; inputs that originate from outside the system and outputs to other natural systems

Question 2

Define an input + give a costal example

Answer 2

Material or energy moving into the system from the outside

Precipitation, wind

Question 3

Define an output + give a costal example

Answer 3

Material or energy moving from the system to the outside

Sediment transfer, rip tides

Question 4

Define energy + give a costal example

Answer 4

Power or driving force

Flowing water, wind energy

Question 5

Define flows/transfers + give a costal example

Answer 5

Links or relationships between the components

Mass movement, longshore drift

Question 6

Define stores/components + give a costal example

Answer 6

Individual elements of a system

Sand dunes, beach

Question 7

Define positive feedback + give a costal example

Answer 7

Where a flow/transfer leads to a growth away from the equilibrium
Groynes trap sediment, depriving areas further down-drift

Question 8

Define negative feedback + give a costal example

Answer 8

Where a flow/transfer leads to a growth towards the equilibrium
Decrease in wave energy could lead to deposition of sediment

Question 9

Define dynamic equilibrium + give a costal example

Answer 9

A state of balance within a constantly changing system

Constructive waves build up a beach, encouraging the formation of destructive waves.