Dawlish Warren case study-Coasts

Question 1

Key facts about dawlish warren:

Answer 1

-home to ressidential properties and small businesses
-the spit is A National nature reserve
-tourist resort attrats 480k a year
-Important fishing industry

Question 2

What are some physical factors affecting the spit?

Answer 2

-In 2013-2014 5m sand was lost from the southern face
-Erosion has caused retreat
-Increasing risk of coastal erosion+flooding

Question 3

What are some human factors influencing the spit?

Answer 3

-1917 first defence built in the western end
-1940 British rail stabilised dunes but they retreated
-First wooden groyne installed on the beach in 1959
-Storms in 1960s and 70s led to more new defences being built
-300m gabion used to save sand dunes
-18 groynes
-300m sea wall next to existing rock armour on the southern end

Question 4

What is the Dawlish Warren Beach Management scheme?

Answer 4

The Teignbridge council proposed a range of works to allow the spit to exist
-Using a hold the line scheme
-beach nourishment using local sand
-maintaining sea wall at the western end to protect the tourist facilities
-replacing groynes
-removal of gabions to let dunes follow a natural alignment
£14m scheme
-Will help 2900 properties

Question 5

Downsides of coastal defences at DW?

Answer 5

-prevent coastline from evolving to natural processes
-effects longshore drift
-causes coastal squeeze-a lack of habitats as the saltmarshes are prevented from moving inward due to storms or rising sea levels and subsequently get smaller.
-since habitats are protected,compensatory habitats are provided near the axe estuary in devon