Coasts Case Studies Flashcards
Transect of Psammosere in Studland, Dorset
PIONEER STAGE: Seeds blown by wind, sand soaks quickly
BUILDING STAGE: Extremophiles bind sand with roods, rot to humus which makes the sand more nutritious- plants colonise (Marram grass)
FINAL STAGE: Larger plants and more complex species grow, earlier plants out competed for water and light
dune slack appear when water table uncovered, water tolerant plants grow
VEGETATION STABILISE SEDIMENT: Plants provide protective layer over sand and bind together further
How long does it take for a sand dune sequence to develope
50-100 yrs
Population of Osaka, Japan
over 2.5 million people
Economic assets of Osaka
$200 Billion
Dangers faced in Osaka
Frequent storm surges and Typhoons,
Sea level rise of 3.3 feet puts 4.1 million more at risk of flooding
Sea level rise in New Zealand
Hawks Bay- $14 billion worth of infrastructure
10m sea level rise- 40% of population at risk
Maldives population
400 000
Major industry in maldives
90% of government money from tourism taxes
Highest land point in Maldives
2.4m
Key problems in Maldives
1) Coral reef destruction- removal of natural buffer
2) Wave erosion- 80-90% of islands affected
3) Fresh water shortages- Salt water contamination
4) Dwindling fish stock- 40% decrease in tuna stock
Maldives adaptation and mitigation to sea level rise
Carbon neutral action 2020
Wind farms + solar panels
Abandoning most at risk islands, building upwards
Strategies for sea level rise in Mediterranean and their problems
Dam from Gibralter rock to Morocco, 1200 ft above sea level, costing $275 Billion
2ft of water evaporates per year in the Med
Dam stops flow of water from Atlantic, creating a stagnant salt water lake
The problem for Netherlands
1/2 of land below seas level after land reclamation,
6 dams and 4 storm surge barriers reduce flood risk
Plans for potential floating cities to help adapt to sea level rise
Problems caused by sea level rise in India
£20 billion income at risk
intensified typhoons in Mumbai
Threats of sea level rise in florida
Coastal powerplant at risk at 4ft rise
Fresh water contamination risk at 5ft rise
Porous geology means water intrusion is easier
Complex levee system is not a long term solution and very expensive
Storm surges in New Orleans Hurricane Katrina
Levee system and sea wall overwhelmed, failed in 50 places despite $15 billion investment in strengthening it
New designe still only cope with current storm surge heights, which are projected to increase
How is the Nile Delta built up
Flocculationcaused by contacts between salt and fresh water causing deposition
How long is the Nile Delta and why is it important
25 000 km, home to 40 million people
Egypt only economic source
What is causing the problem in the Nile Delta
Fish farming increased 13%
High Ashwan dam causing deterioration of coatal lagoons, loss of wetlands
Farmers deconstructing sand dunes
What is the problem in the Nile Delta
1/5 of Delta vunerable to salt water intrusion, coastal retreat of 2.7km^2
Estimated sea rise of 84cm this century
Salt water intrusion, coastal erosion
Number of Kiribati atolls (coral islands)
33, 31/33 inhabited
Population of Kiribati and average income
116 00 people, $1685 GDP per capita- population facing cultural extinction
Kiribati average height above sea level
6m above sea level
Major problems in Kiribati
Fresh water contamination- 1 wave could contaminate all water systems in capital for 2 yrs
Kiribati adaptation strategies
“Migrating with dignity” government sending people for training in australia so they aree prepared when they leave
Tuna reserve not exploited as a political statement about sacrifices made for social gain
What are they doing in Java
Mangrove removal for the sake of agricultural development- removal of natural buffer
Mangroves reduce height of wave by 40% in 100m
Stabalise and trap sediment
How many people are at risk of flooding in Java
3000 villages
Characteristics of Lulworth Cove
Concordant coastline
Chalk and clay/ limestone
Fractures and fissures
