feedback loops

Question 1

what is an example of negative feedback in a coastal system?

Answer 1

destructive waves from the storm lose their energy excess sediment is deposited as an offshore bar

bar dissipates energy

protecting the beach from further erosion

the bar gets eroded instead of the beach

the bar goes back to normal conditions

the system goes back into dynamic equilibrium

Question 2

what is an example of positive feedback in a coastal system?

Answer 2

people walking over sand dunes

destroys growing vegetation

causes erosion

the roots are damaged making the dunes more susceptible to erosion

eventually sand dunes are completely eroded away