Coasts GW 2 - done Flashcards

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1
Q

Explain with examples, how fisheries and aquaculture impact the coastal environment.

A

Fisheries - areas where fish are bred and raised to meet increasing demand for fish
Aquaculture - farming fish in cages or ponds close to coasts, in rivers or converted wetlands

Ca Mau, Vietnam

  • A place in Southern Vietnam, where they produce shrimps
  • Had more than 60,000 hectares of mangroves cleared in 1980s
  • Good for aquaculture as the place is waterlogged
  • Ponds constructed from mud or concrete holds water and shrimp for farming, at the cost of mangroves and wetland rice fields which were cleared for space

Impacts

  • lack of dense network of mangrove roots, which can help to stabilise the shoreline, making it more vulnerable to erosion from storms
  • mangrove roots also absorb wave and wind energy, which can help reduce erosion from strong storms and waves
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2
Q

Explain with examples, how housing and transportation impact the coastal environment.

A

Housing - shelter provided for people
Transportation - movement of goods and people from one place to another.

Kukup, Malaysia

  • Town in Malaysia about 25km west of SG, which has stilt house communities
  • Air Masin is a village in Kukup with about 180 stilt houses and floating fish farms
  • Salted fish and dried prawns are sold at these farms
  • Frequent ferry services allow visitors to go there and make it a good tourist destination
  • The economy is friven by local and foreign tourists

Impacts

  • Use of boats & presence of fish leads to more waste in the ocean waters, which can harm more marine life and reduce food source, education etc.
  • More trash from tourists can wash up on other shores with chemicals and threaten habitats of animals on land
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3
Q

Describe coral reefs, where they are found and the environmental conditions they need for survival.

A

Coral reefs are structures that develop at or slightly below sea level or on the seabed.

Usually found in Tropics and at sheltered coasts.

  • Average seawater salinity (dissolved salt content) of 34-37 parts per thousand
  • Moderate amount of water movement to ensure corals receive enough O2
  • Clear saline water of depth 10-60 meters to allow sunlight to penetrate (low turbidity and no sediments)
  • Sea surface temperature of not lower than 17-18°C
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4
Q

State the value of coral reefs.

A
  • Support natural ecosystems (habitats)
  • Absorbs wave energy at coasts, protecting land mass from erosion
  • Lead to profit gains from tourism (scuba diving, snorkelling)
  • Creatures living in coral reefs are food for other marine creatures
  • Aquarium trade
  • Building material (coral rubble is a material for cement)
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5
Q

Explain with examples, how the overcollection of corals put pressures on coral reefs.

A

In the Phillipines, tourists who are scuba diving may collect corals to bring back home. Corals may also be collected as materials for cement or be sold in aquarium trade.

  • weakens corals & disrupts the coral ecosystem
  • makes them vulnerable to threats and be unable to recover quickly enough
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6
Q

Explain with examples, how destructive fishing methods put pressures on coral reefs.

A

In the Philippines and Indonesia, dynamite blasting and cyanide fishing is used to stun, kill and catch fish.

  • the coral reef habitat is also destroyed/poisoned at the same time

In the Netherlands, spearfishing occurs, where people selectively kill certain fish populations and disrupt the food chains of the ecosystem.

  • spearfishing of parrot fish is bad as they feed on algae, which can grow and affect corals negatively
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7
Q

Explain with examples, how recreational coast activities lead to pressures on coral reefs.

A

In Sri-Lanka, tourism-related activities such as anchoring of boats and increased boat or tourist traffic to an area.

  • sewage and trash discharged from boats can pollute the water and stress corals
  • boat anchors can damage corals
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8
Q

Explain with examples, how coastal development puts pressure on coral reefs. **ans missing example

A

Reclaimation and extension of land by dumping rocks and sand into the ocean.

  • the sediments and rocks can damage and suffocate the coral reefs, leading to their death

Expansion of coastal resorts and urban housing increases the chances of waste being deposited into the sea.

  • waste pollutes the seawater and poisons the corals, killing them
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9
Q

Explain with examples, how climate change puts pressure on coral reefs. **ans missing example

A

Rapid changes in sea temperatures can be faster than the corals’ and their ecosystems’ ability to adjust.

  • coral bleaching occurs, when higher sea temperatures lead to the loss of algae which turns coral completely white.
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10
Q

Describe mangroves and the environmental conditions they require for survival.

A

Mangroves are salt-tolerant tropical or subtropical plants.

  • high turbidity water and muddy, waterlogged soil
  • tropical & subtropical climates
  • low energy waves (sheltered coasts) which allows sediments filled with nutrients to accumulate
  • saline environment

Usually found along coasts of countries in the Tropics, though are sometimes found further beyond in some patches.

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11
Q

Explain the adaptations mangroves have that help in their survival.

A
  1. Prop roots & kneed roots
    - anchors trees firmly into the soft, muddy ground
    - ensures tree will not be uprooted or swept away by strong waves
  2. Aerial roots
    - takes in O2 during the day when the roots are not submerged during low tide
  3. Leaves
    - excess salt is excreted through the underside of the leaf
    - the leaves have drip tips to allow rainwater to drain easily so the leaves do not rot
    - leaves are thick and leathery, reducing excess transpiration from high temperatures in tropical climate
  4. Fruits
    - javelin shaped: pierces soft mud to germinate and grow
    - buoyant: allows fruit to float away and germinate in other coastal areas
  5. Flowers
    - colourful to attract insects to pollinate
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12
Q

State the value of mangroves.

A
  • dense network of roots stabilises shorelines by creating friction to absorb wave energy and protect coastal areas from storm impact and coastal erosion
  • mangrove habitats serve as a breeding ground for many marine creatures which swim around or anchor on the roots (barnacles, oysters)
  • mangroves are cut down to provide wood for fire fuel or for construction
  • cultural value
  • provides food for humans and animals (some fruits can be squeezed for juice)
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13
Q

Explain with examples, the impacts of clearing of mangroves.

A

In Indonesia, mangroves can be cleared for fuel and charcoal in regions with low technology and income economy.

  • fish breeding grouds are reduced, and coasts are more exposed to storm waves and coastal erosion
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14
Q

Explain with examples, the impacts of conversion to other land uses on mangroves.

A

In Vietnam, hectares of mangroves are cleared to make space for shrimp farms and paddy fields.

  • coasts become more vulnerable
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15
Q

Explain with examples, the impacts of coastal development relating to mangroves.

A

In the Caribbean Islands, land is reclaimed for housing, industry and recreational uses.

  • coastal waters get polluted from more human activities
  • mangroves disappear from the environment
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16
Q

Explain with examples, the impacts of rising sea level on mangroves.

A

Rising sea level and increased extreme weather events is likely in the future when climate change continuously accelerates.

  • mangroves struggle to colonise areas inland as more human activities are inland, such as the Gulf of Thailand