Coasts GW1 - 3

Question 1

what is the definition of coasts

Answer 1

the area where the land meets the sea

Question 2

coastal environments are dynamic and changing due to?

Answer 2

waves
currents
tides
geology
human activities
ecosystem type: mangrove and coral

Question 3

How do waves affect coastal environments?

Answer 3

Destructive waves will lead to erosion, while constructive waves will lead to deposition.

Question 4

How are waves generated?

Answer 4

Waves are generated when energy from wind blowing across seas and oceans is transferred to the water surface. Therefore, factors affecting wind energy also affect the energy of waves.

Question 5

What are the factors affecting wave energy?

Answer 5

There are 3 factors: fetch, wind speed and wind duration.

Question 6

How does wind speed affect wave energy?

Answer 6

The faster the wind blows, the greater the wave energy is.

Question 7

How does the wind duration affect wave energy?

Answer 7

The longer the wind blows, the larger the waves are; resulting in greater wave energy.

Question 8

How does fetch affect wave energy?

Answer 8

The greater the fetch, the more energy the waves have as the wind would have passed through a larger body of water.

Question 9

What are currents and how do they affect coastal environments

Answer 9

Currents are large-scale continuous movements of water in seas and oceans, driven largely by prevailing winds which generally blow in one direction.

Currents carry large amounts of energy and shape coasts through the processes of coastal erosion, sediment transport and sediment deposition.

Closer to the shore, nearshore currents help to shape the coastline, an example is longshore currents which flow parallel to the coast

Question 10

What are tides and how do they affect coastal environments?

Answer 10

Tides refer to the daily alternate rising and falling of the sea level seen along the coasts, caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on the earth. Each coastal area receives two high tides and two low tides daily which has significant impacts on the coast.

At high tides the waves erode and transport more sediments away from the larger parts of the coasts than at other times.

Question 11

What is geology and how does it affect coastal environments?

Answer 11

Geology is the arrangement and composition of rock found in the area. Rocks may be arranged in layers such as in alternate layers of hard and soft rock. More resistant rocks like granite and basalt will erode slower as compared to less resistant rocks like limestone. Coastal processes that operate on coasts consisting of different types of rock result in coasts with different coastlines

Question 12

What are human activities and how do they impact coastal environments?

Answer 12

Some examples of human activities are living, trading, fishing and engaging in recreational activities in these environments. People alter coastlines when they build marinas and port facilities and many more. They also cause pollution in these environments by dumping waste into the water.

Question 13

Explain wave refraction.

Answer 13

Process by which waves change direction as they approach an uneven coastline.

Waves converge on headlands, increasing wave height and erosive energy.

Waves diverge at bays, decreasing wave height and erosive energy.

Occurs because shallower depths of water causes parts of waves to slow down relative to other parts of the wave.

Question 14

Describe the type of environments where constructive waves and destructive waves occur at.

Answer 14

Constructive waves: low gradient and low energy environment.

Destructive waves: High energy environment with steep gradient.

Question 15

Define ‘swash’ and ‘backwash’.

Answer 15

Swash refers to water that rush up a beach after the wave breaks, carrying sediments up the shore.

Backwash refers to the water that returns to the sea after the swash loses energy due to gravity and friction, carrying sediments back into the sea.

Question 16

Explain the different coastal erosional processes.

Answer 16

(a) Hydraulic action
When waves strike against a rock surface, the waves trap air in the rock joints. The air is compressed by the oncoming waves, exerting pressure on the joints. As the air is repeatedly compressed, the joints weaken and the rocks shatter.
(b) Abrasion
As waves break, sediments carried by waves such as sand and rocks are hurled against the coast. The loosened sediments knock and scrape against the coastal cliffs. This weakens the surface and breaks down the coast. Overtime, the impact from abrasion is powerful enough to to undercut a cliff.
(c) Attrition
When rock particles carried by waves rub or hit against one another, they break down into smaller pieces and become smoother and more rounded over time.
(d) Solution
Sea water reacts chemically with water-soluble minerals in coastal rocks and dissolves them. For example, limestone rocks are easily eroded by carbonic acid. When solution of minerals occurs, rocks are weakened and eventually disintegrate.

Question 17

Explain why deposition takes place.

Answer 17

(a) Sediments eroded from the coast are transported away and deposited elsewhere. When wave energy decreases, the waves are unable to carry these sediments. Large sediments are deposited first, followed by smaller sediments. Deposited sediments vary in type and size, resulting in a variety of beaches.
(b) The location of coasts influences the deposition of sediments. In areas where coasts are sheltered from strong winds, destructive waves are less common. Fine sediments are deposited along sheltered coasts with calm waters such as mangrove coasts. In deep bays sheltered by headlands. On the other hand, coarser sediments are likely to settle in more exposed areas where there is higher wave energy to remove the finer sediments.

Question 18

Explain how sediments move due to transportation.

Answer 18

The movement of sediment happens during beach drift and longshore drift as a result of waves approaching the coast at an angle.
(a) Beach drift
As waves approaching the coast at an angle break on the beach, sediments move up the beach at an angle as awash and move perpendicularly down the beach as backwash. The resultant zigzag movement along the beach is known as beach drift.
(b) Longshore drift
When waves approach the coast at an angle, they generate longshore currents in the nearshore zone and move sediments along the shore. Longshore currents are ocean currents that flow parallel to a coast. The combined effect of sediment movement by longshore currents and beach drift is known as longshore drift. (Longshore drift is most rapid when waves approach a straight coast at an angle of about 30°.

Question 19

How are headlands and bays formed?

Answer 19

1. The coastline has bands of less resistant and more resistant rock that alternate.
2. Less resistant rocks will erode faster than more resistant rock.
3. The less resistant rock will erode away to form wide indented coasts, called bays.
4. The more resistant rock extend into the sea as they erode less. These are known as headlands.

Question 20

What are cliffs and shore platforms?

Answer 20

A cliff is a high steep rock face along the coast.

A shore platform is a gently sloping expanse of rock sediments/debris at the base of a cliff resulting from erosion.

Question 21

How are spits and tombolos formed?

Answer 21

1. Some coasts will have an abrupt change in the direction of the coastline.
2. Longshore drift will continue to transport materials in the original direction for sometime.
3. Longshore drift deposits materials in the sea where they accumulate over time.
4. The accumulated materials eventually appear above the surface of the water, forming a spit.
5. If the spit connects an offshore island with the mainland or another island, it is called a tombolo.

Question 22

How are cliffs and shore platforms formed?

Answer 22

1. The waves repeatedly pound against a rocky coast. This weakens the rock and causes lines of weakness to be formed in the rock surface.
2. Hydraulic action and abrasion may erode a crack/lines of weaknesses/joints to form a notch.
3. As erosion proceeds, the notch is deepened to form a bigger, hollow space called a cave.
4. Further erosion by the waves eventually causes the roof of the cave to collapse and forms a cliff.
5. As the erosion continues, an overhanging cliff is formed. Eventually, this overhanging cliff will collapse and materials will be deposited at the foot of the cliff. Some of these materials may be carried by waves and then are thrown against the base of the cliff causing further erosion.
6. Overtime, the cliff will retreat inland and a gentle sloping platform appears at the base of where the cliff used to be. It is called a shore platform and it is submerged during high tide.

Question 23

What are caves, arches and stacks?

Answer 23

Cave - a big, hollow space

Arches - a bridge of rock

Stacks - a pillar of rock in the sea left behind after an arch collapses

Question 24

How are caves, headlands and stacks formed?

Answer 24

1. Within headlands, some rocks may be less resistant to erosion than other rocks. These parts of the headlands will be eroded more quickly, especially by hydraulic action and abrasion. Waves attack lines of weaknesses (such as joints & faults) at the base of the headland and undercut it. The continuous action of waves forms a cave at the area that is hollowed by the wave action.
2. Caves may develop on each side of the headland. Erosion may eventually join caves together leaving a bridge of rock known as an arch above the opening.
3. After a period of time, the roof of the area may collapse to form a stack. A stack is a pillar of rock in the sea left behind after an arch collapses.

Question 25

Explain how beaches form.

Answer 25

Different rates of erosion form different sediment sizes.

When there is a drop in the energy of the waves, the materials will be deposited along the coast. Overtime, a beach will be formed.

Question 26

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

Answer 26

Fisheries are areas where fishes are farmed and bred to meet the increasing demand for fish, while aquaculture refers to breeding fish in cages and ponds near coastal areas. For example, China, India and Vietnam are the three countries that produce the most amounts of aquaculture. In Ca Mau, Vietnam, nearly 60000 hectares of mangroves were cleared for building materials and land space in order to construct shrimp farms. Shrimp production was valued at about USD $800 million in 2010. This harms the coastal environment as the decrease in mangroves leave coastal areas vulnerable to coastal erosion, as there will no longer be mangrove roots to stabilise the coastline and anchor the soil.

Question 27

Explain with example how housing and transportation affects coastal environments.

Answer 27

Housing refers to buildings that people live in, while transportation refers to the movement of goods and people from one place to another. For example, in Kukup, Malaysia, there are plenty of floating fish farms selling shrimp and other fish, and boats are a common mode of transportation among fishermen to facilitate their daily fishing activities. This harms the coastal environment because the use of boats and presence of fish farms can result in more waste in the ocean waters, which can lead to water pollution and harm marine life. Trash washed up to the shore can also carry chemical pollutants and threaten physical habitats.

Question 28

Explain the environmental conditions coral reefs need for survival.

Answer 28

Coral reefs are structures that develop at, or slightly below, the sea level on the seabed, and are made up of thousands of coral polyps that secrete rock-like deposits of calcium carbonate to protect the soft and delicate body of the coral polyp.

• low turbidity water to allow sufficient sunlight to penetrate. clear, saline water between 10m to 60m deep to allow sufficient sunlight to penetrate and trigger algae growth.
• low turbidity water to allow sufficient sunlight to penetrate.
• temperature of the water should be 17 to 18 degrees celsius
• average seawater salinity of 34-37 parts / 1000 and moderate water movement to ensure corals can receive sufficient oxygen.
• low sedimentation so corals will not suffocate.

Question 29

Explain the value of coral reefs.

Answer 29

• provide jobs and food through fisheries supported by coral reefs
• a major ecotourism attraction due to snorkelling and scuba diving
• supports biodiversity as coral reefs are breeding grounds for marine life.
• provide coastal protection as they slow down waves and absorb wave energy, hence protecting the coast against erosion and protecting human activities on the coast from being destroyed.
• used as building material as coral rubble are used as a building material for cement
• used for pharmaceuticals and aquarium trade.

Question 30

Explain how overcollection of corals affects coral reefs.

Answer 30

One pressure on coral reefs is the overcollection of corals. People collect corals for personal or commercial use, such as using coral rubble as a building material for cement. An example of where this occurs is in the Philippines. This harms coral reefs as corals are weakened and the ecosystem is disrupted, hence leaving corals vulnerable to threats.

Question 31

Describe the environmental conditions affecting growth of mangroves.

Answer 31

Mangroves are salt-tolerant plants (or subtropical plants) that grow in conditions which most plants cannot.

They are grown in high turbidity water, and found in muddy, waterlogged soil and subtropical climates.

Typically found along sheltered coasts and river estufareis with muddy and waterlogged land

Sheltered coasts experience low energy waves which allow sediments to accumulate

Sediments such as mud and plant litter provide mangroves with nutrients

Question 32

Explain the adaptations mangroves have for survival.

Answer 32

Prop Roots: Anchors the trees firmly in soft, muddy, ensuring that the tree will not be uprooted or swept away by the strong waves.

Aerial Roots: Has the same function as Prop Roots, as well as to take oxygen during parts of the day when they are not submerged.

Kneed Roots: To help trap soil between the roots, which is essential for plant growth.

Excess Salt Secretors: Secretes/excretes it through the underside of its leaves

Javelin-shaped fruits: To pierce the soft mud to germinate and grow into a sapling immediately

Bouyant Fruits: To allow it to float away and germinate in other coastal areas

Drip tips in Leaves: To allow rainwater to be drained easily so that the leaves stay light and do not decompose

Thick and leathery leaves: To reduce excess transpiration due to the Tropical Climate.

Colourful flowers: To attract insects to pollinate them

Question 33

Explain the value of mangroves.

Answer 33

• stabilising shorelines: dense root network creates friction which protects coastal areas from wave energy and erosion; absorbs force of storms, reducing storm impact
• mangrove habitats serve as a breeding ground and habitat for marine creatures e.g. barnacles, oysters and sponges anchor onto the hazard surfaces of aerial roots
• aquaculture: mangroves used in reading aquatic fauna for food e.g. fish, crab, shrimp
• used as fuel wood, production of charcoal
• cultural: in pre-colonial times they were home to sea-faring populations e.g. Orang Seletar
• provides food for animals and humans e.g. fruits of some mangroves can be squeezed for juice

Question 34

Explain with example, how clearing of mangroves affect them.

Answer 34

Mangroves are cleared for fuel wood and charcoal, particularly in areas of low technology and income. An example of where this occurs is in Indonesia. The clearance of mangroves leaves the coastline vulnerable to coastal erosion as the lack of dense network of roots of mangroves will cause the shoreline to be unstabilised

Question 35

Describe the global distribution of coral reefs

Answer 35

It can be found in the Tropic of Cancer in the northern hemisphere and in the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere.

Sheltered coasts.

Question 36

Describe the global distribution of mangroves

Answer 36

Found within the Tropic of Cancer in the northern hemisphere and the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere. However, they can also be found further north and south of these tropics such as Northern Australia and New Guinea.

Sheltered coasts.

Question 37

Explain with example, how pollution puts pressure on corals.

Answer 37

Excess fertilisers and chemicals from agricultural land, oils and heavy metals from untreated industrial waste, and sewage from urban areas are causes of pollution. An example of where this occurs is in the Philippines. This harms coral reefs as the turbid and murky water prevent sufficient sunlight from reaching the corals, hence reducing algae photosynthesis.

Question 38

Explain with example, how coastal development puts pressure on corals.

Answer 38

Coastal development refers to the reclamation and extension of land, as well as expansion of coastal resorts, which results in rocks, sand, sediments and waste being deposited in the ocean waters. An example where this is occurring is in Japan and Florida. This harms coral reefs as corals are suffocated by the sedimentation deposited into the waters and destroyed.

Question 39

Explain with example, how fishing methods put pressure on corals.

Answer 39

Fishing methods include spearfishing, dynamite blasting and cyanide fishing to stun fish. An example of where this is occurring is in Belize Bonaire, Netherlands, and Philippines, Indonesia. This harms corals as corals are weakened and destroyed by dynamite blasts, poisoned by chemical clouds from cyanide fishing, and the ecosystem is disrupted due to depletion of fish population.

Question 40

Explain with example, recreational activities put pressure on corals.

Answer 40

Coasts are used for activities like tourism activities and anchoring of boats. An example of where this occurs is in Sri Lanka. This harms coral reefs as the waste deposited into the waters as a result of these human activities can harm marine life and biodiversity in the waters, and suffocate corals. Boat anchoring can damage corals too.

Question 41

Explain with example, how global warming is affecting corals.

Answer 41

Rising sea levels may be at a faster rate than the ability of corals and marine life to adapt to the higher water temperatures. An example of where this occurs is in Seychelles. The higher water temperatures can result in coral bleaching, where corals turn white, and decrease in algae photosynthesis. The corals would also be more vulnerable to disease, have growth stunts, and eventually die. Floods associated with rising sea levels could also destroy corals.

Question 42

Explain with example, how overfishing affects corals.

Answer 42

Overfishing refers to fishermen fishing in reefs, surrounding waters and oceans to the extent that the fish population depletes too much. An example of where this is occurring is in the Philippines. This harms the corals as the depletion of fish population can disrupt the delicate balance of the ecosystem, as well as decrease in algae photosynthesis.

Question 43

Explain with examples, how conversion to other land uses affect mangroves.

Answer 43

Thousands of hectares of mangroves are cleared for land space to construct shrimp farms and paddy wet rice fields. An example of where this occurs is in Ca Mau, Vietnam. The clearance of these mangroves leaves the coastline vulnerable to coastal erosion as the lack of dense network of roots of mangroves will cause the shoreline to be unstabilised.

Question 44

Explain with example how land reclamation / coastal development affects mangroves.

Answer 44

Land is reclaimed for housing, industrial, commercial and recreational use. An example of where this occurs is in Vietnam and Thailand. The clearance of these mangroves as a result of land reclamation leaves the coastline vulnerable to coastal erosion as the lack of dense network of roots of mangroves will cause the shoreline to be unstabilised

Question 45

Explain with example how rising sea level affects mangroves.

Answer 45

Rising sea levels is as a result of seawater expansion due to increase in global temperatures and ocean temperatures, and this is accelerated by climate change. An example of where this occurs is in the Gulf of Thailand. Mangroves will then have trouble further colonising inland as they will be in competition with human activities for land space further inland.

Question 46

Define Soft Engineering Measures

Answer 46

It involves protecting the coast using natural processes; does not involve the construction of any physical structures

Question 47

Define Hard Engineering Measures

Answer 47

It involves the construction of physical structures to protect coasts against the erosive power of waves

Question 48

Discuss with the use of examples, the effectiveness of gabions in managing coastal areas.

Answer 48

D:Gabions are wire cages usually filled with crushed rocks. These cages are built along a shore or behind a beach to prevent or reduce coastal erosions by weakening wave energy. Gabions absorb wave energy better than sea walls. This is because the gaps between the rocks allow water to filter through, proving gabions to be successful against high energy waves.

Ex: Seaton in Devon, UK. The rock-filled gabions have been positioned to the side of the cliff as an additional sea defence, to prevent the high tide and stormy seas from rushing through the gap at the side and around the back of the remaining pinnacle of rock, where they could potentially undercut the remaining rock on the landward side.

A: Gabion baskets that are placed on the outside of river bends prevent river bank erosion during floods. Geotech filter fabric is placed behind and underneath the gabion baskets to prevent the movement of soil material through the gabions, and prevent or reduce coastal erosions by weakening wave energy.

L: However, the wire cages are unsightly and are costly as they need to be maintained regularly. They are also easily corroded by seawater and damaged by excessive trampling or vandalism

Question 49

Discuss with the use of examples, the effectiveness of seawalls in managing coastal areas.

Answer 49

D - Seawalls are walls that are built along and parallel to the coasts to reflect waves that hit against the sea wall, protecting coastlines against wave attack by absorbing wave energy.

Ex - Vancouver seawall built around the perimeter of Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia began in 1917 and extends 22km in total.

A - Seawalls provide a high degree of protection against coastal flooding and erosion. It fixed the boundary between the sea and land to prevent further erosion, and coastal flood protection against extreme water levels, up to their design height.

L - Seawalls are costly to built and maintain as constant repairs may have to be made to prevent their collapse. They’re also only successful initially as backwash washes away the beach materials at the foot of and beneath the seawall, eventually undermining the base of the seawalls which lead to their collapse.

Question 50

Discuss with the use of examples, how beach nourishment manages coastal areas

Answer 50

[ D ] Beach nourishment involves using sand from an external source to replenish the sand on a depleted beach . The external sources can be sand from other beaches or sand dredged from the sea floor . This measure helps slow down the erosion of beaches and successfully change a coast into a wide , sandy beach that offers protection to the immediate inland area .

[ Ex ] Beach nourishment restored the depleted beach at the coast of Cape May Point in New Jersey , United States of America where sand from an external source is used to replenish the depleted beach .

[A] Beach nourishment is able to change a coast into a wide sandy beach that provides immediate protection to the inland area.

[L] However , it is time consuming and costly in trucking or piping in the sand . Many beach nourishment projects have also given rise to other problems . For example , the coral reefs at Waikiki Beach were destroyed because sand used for beach nourishment was washed out to the sea and suffocated the corals . Other management strategies are required to be put in place at the same time to prevent the re - nourished beaches from being eroded .

Question 51

Discuss with the use of examples, how encouraging coral growth would help manage coastal areas.

Answer 51

D: Coral reefs help to weaken wave energy and serve as a breeding ground and nursery for fish. Artificial reefs can be created by placing lasting materials, steel or concrete onto the sea floor. Corals, together with other marine creatures and vegetation, colonise these materials and start to function as a natural reef.
Ex: Since 1996, the Maldives, which is a low-lying archipelago in the Indian Ocean, has been operating a coral-growing programme to help curb severe beach erosion on its many islands. A structure of welded construction steel rods, 45m long, 4 to 8m wide and 1.5m high, has been placed off the coast of one of its resort islands of Ihuru. The structure is charged with low-voltage solar-generated electricity to speed up coral growth.

A: Coral reefs help to weaken wave energy, hence having less energy in the destructive waves, reducing erosion.

L: It is not easy to encourage the growth of corals. Sites need to be surveyed to ensure maximum opportunity for growth. Coral growth may be slow, taking perhaps 20 to 30 years before results appear. Even then, coral growth may not be significant

Question 52

Discuss with the use of examples, how tetrapods manage coastal areas.

Answer 52

D: Tetrapods are four-pronged concrete structures that help dissipate wave energy. They are stacked offshore in an interlocking position. As they are pre-casted, they can be replaced quickly compared to other structures.

EX: The tetrapods at Yin Yang Sea, Taiwan. The tetrapods were introduced in 2006 to protect the area from typhoons, which occur on average, three to four times each year.

A: Tetrapods allow water to pass around them instead of hitting against them, hence no powerful backwash is generated, reducing damage by waves.

L: Tetrapods are aesthetically unappealing. They are also expensive to build so countries may not be able to afford. They can pose danger to swimmers and boaters due to its shape.

Question 53

Discuss with the use of examples, how groynes manage coastal areas.

Answer 53

D: Groynes are low walls constructed at right angles to the shore to retain sediments that would otherwise be removed by longshore drift. They reduce the energy of the waves and cause materials to be deposited on the updrift side of the groyne facing the longshore drift.

Ex: Groynes were built along Sandy Hook in New JerseyUnited States of America. Groynes(often called jetties)are perpendicular to the beach to trap sand flowing north towards Sandy Hook due to longshore currents.

A: It reduces the energy of waves and cause materials to be deposited on updrift side. The groynes also act as barriers and prevent materials from being transported away by longshore drift. Successful implementation can sustain and even extend beach areas.

L: However, they are unsightly and expensive to build and maintain. No new materials deposited on downdrift side which is not protected, limiting beach formation on the downdrift side.

Question 54

Discuss with the use of examples, how breakwaters manage coastal areas

Answer 54

D: Breakwaters are structures built parallel to the coast or with one end attached to the coast, which help to break the force of oncoming waves. When constructed offshore, they create a zone of calm water behind it which are often used as a sheltered harbour for boats.

Ex: In Almera, Spain, breakwaters are built offshore to break the force of oncoming waves. The land behind the breakwaters are protected from erosion caused by corrasion and hydraulic action. A zone of calm water is created behind them, where sediments are deposited to build up the beach.

A: Breakwaters break the force of oncoming waves and create a zone of calm water behind them, protecting the coast successfully. They also tend to prevent beach erosion for short-term periods. Materials are deposited and built up in the done of calm water forming beaches.

L: However, Breakwaters are costly to build and maintain and as such, developing countries may not be able to afford it. Breakwaters protect the coast unevenly. Due to that, materials deposited in the zones behind breakwaters are protected but those located away from breakwaters maybe be subjected to wave action and erosion.

Question 55

Discuss with example, how planting vegetation and stabilising dunes manage coastal areas.

Answer 55

D: Planting vegetation such as mangroves can stabilise coastlines, as mangroves wave energy through their dense root system. Sand dunes can be stabilised through planting grasses, which have roots that anchor the sand and prevent erosion.

Ex - the coast of Triton Place, Western Australia has vegetated sand dunes that stabilise the dunes, and grass that anchor the soil and prevent them from being eroded away.

A - As the wave energy is reduced by the mangroves, there will be less erosion, thus protecting the coastal areas.

L - However, the vegetation take many years to grown and are unable to protect immediate protection. It is also expensive the maintain the fences and paths to protect the sand dunes.

Question 56

Discuss with the use of examples, how limiting damaging activities manage the coastal areas?

Answer 56

D: Damaging activities are activities that interrupt the functioning of natural systems. Banning of these damaging activities might be costly and inefficient, many national and local government bodies instead try to limit these activities. This is done through management that aligns the needs and demands of people together with the nature of the coastal environment.

Ex: One example of how damaging activities can be limited is the management of sand dunes in Port Phillip, Melbourne. The sand dunes were often trampled on by visitors, destroying the dune vegetation. Houses behind the dunes are also in danger if being partially buried by the sand being blown by wind. To combat this, authorities fenced off the dunes and built separate access paths to the beach, allowing the coastal environment to recover.

A: Through limiting of damaging activities but he coast, it allows the coastal areas to recover to before, reducing of erosion of coast by prevention or reducing of activities by the sea. With lesser activities on the coast, it results in lesser pollution and damage on coasts. Thus, limiting of damaging activities shows a positive impact on protecting of the coasts.

L: However, by limiting damaging activities by the coast, it reduces the number of people having fun by the coast, it will look less attractive and does not allow visitors to enter. This will cost the government economy loss through lack of tourist income. By reducing construction of facilities like docks and marines, it will result in lesser trade between counties and worsening of economy.

Question 57

Discuss with example how protecting coastal resources help manage coastal areas.

Answer 57

D: Protecting coastal resources is a management strategy that aims to prevent resources from being exploited or depleted. An example of coastal resource that needs to be protected is fish. Areas close to the coastline where 90% of all marine fish are caught are vulnerable to overfishing. This occurs especially in the coral reef areas of SEA where destructive fishing methods of blasting and poison fishing are used.

Ex: One way to protect fishes, which are coastal resources, is to reduce plastic usage and water pollution. This can help reduce the amount of plastic ending up in the ocean. This reduces the chances of the marine animals mistaking them for food or being suffocated by them. The One Less Plastic campaign, launched in 2018, is a campaign to reduce plastic bag usage in SG.

A: Marine reserves protect marine ecosystems which allows fish and endangered species to breed and thrive. There are up to 14 times more snappers within the reserve then outside it. This demonstrates the positive management impact of protecting coastal resources.

L: However, the establishment of marine reserves is often strongly opposed by local fishermen. This is because the fishermen see their access to a valuable resource, and possibly a major source of food, being denied. The potential long term benefits of a marine reserve may not be significant to locals who can no longer fish in an area that has supported them for a long time.

Question 58

Discuss with an example, how restricting development in areas prone to natural hazards help manage coastal areas.

Answer 58

D: Many national governments and local authorities have developed management policies to deal with the threat of natural hazards in coastal areas. They research on how severe or widespread the problem is, plan for it, then make and enforce laws. The laws and policies usually involve a combination of retreat, avoidance, and defence. These protect both the coastal environment from damage and erosion by humans and also protect people from the natural hazards.

Ex: In USA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) steers development away form areas prone to flooding or coastal erosion.
[retreat]

A: By restricting development in areas prone to natural hazards near the coastline, there will be less destruction of property and infrastructure, as well as less loss of lives. with less human activities near the coastline, less erosion will occur on the beaches and less sand will be lost.

L: People may not comply with the laws and may continue to illegally build businesses and infrastructure near the coastlines. This may cause problems for the government in charge of regulating the coastlines. The businesses built near the coastlines may also cause damage to infrastructure and loss of lives.