Coasts as Natural Systems

Question 1

What are inputs?

Answer 1

Any element introduced to the system from outside.

Question 2

What are components?

Answer 2

Coastal inputs, transfers, processes, outputs and system feedback.

Question 3

What are stores?

Answer 3

The stores of sediment and material such as beaches and spits.

Question 4

What are flows/transfers?

Answer 4

Stores such as sediment on a beach, and flows, such as longshore drift moving sediment along the coast

Question 5

What are outputs?

Answer 5

Refers to material or energy outputs such as riptides and ocean currents.

Question 6

What is dynamic equilibrium?

Answer 6

A steady state reached when a reversible reaction occurs at the same rate in both directions and has an unchanging ratio of products and reactants.

Question 7

What is positive feedback?

Answer 7

When a process tends to amplify/increase the change (inputs increase/outputs increase).
More wind, more erosion.

Question 8

What is negative feedback?

Answer 8

Countering the initial change, normally leading to the conditions found before the initial change.
Sweating to help cool down after the body has been warmed.