Field Work Flashcards
Physical investigation
How are costal processes managed att Colwyn bay?
Human investigation
How successful is the regeneration at Colwyn bay
Why did we choose Colwyn bay
-Accessible
-both investigations in one area
-minimal risk that were easily avoidable
Physical reasons for its regeneration
-experienced long shore drift
-prone to coastal erosion/flooding
-sea defences all worn out
-inaccessible to people
What would happen if long shore drift continued
Coastline more vulnerable to destructive waves no beach to absorb energy
Human reasons for regeneration
-Visitor Numbers declined (inaccessible beach)
-rundown buildings
-lack of investments
How was the risk of weather managed
Check regularly before trip
Dressed correctly
Away from coast line
How was the risk of tides managed
Knowing tide patterns
Planning the time we went
Away from cliff edges
How were the risk of animals managed
Staying away
How is the risk of strangers managed
Choose people who appear friendly
Stayed in pairs
What is the physical hypothesis
Coastal management should control long shore drift
Coastal erosion
Coastal flooding
What two methods were used to collect physical data
Observations/pictures/sketches
Beach profiles
Sampling method for observations/sketches
Photos of site
Labelled Field sketch
Made sure defences were included
What is the hypothesis link to observation/sketches
See how effective defences were and the sand build up along groynes
Why were photos/sketches taken
-Compare with previous photos
-sketches to make sure all info was gathered could be compared
Why use pictures and sketches
Qualitative data
Photos back up if weather destroyed sketches
Observations to view change
Sampling method for beach profiles
Use ranging pole and clinometers to accurately measure angles of changing gradients
Tape measure for distance between gradient changes
How does beach profiling link to hypothesis
See how effective sea defences are keeping sand between groynes
Expected more sand in west (long shore drift)
Why use beach profiling
To measure the changing gradient of beach in either side of groyne to see if long shore drift is still occurring and defences are working
Why beach profiling as a method
Clinometers were used as they are an accurate method of measuring angles. Allows us to plot a clear graph
What equipment used in physical investigation
Ranging poles
Clinometers
Tape measure
For physical investigation how did we present our data
Sketches and beach profiling graph
Why present data as sketches
Annotations provide info about landscapes and conditions
Photos support sketches
We can look back at details
What do sketches show
Long shore drift has been managed and control
Weather conditions were recorded
What did beach profiling graph show
The beach was wide and high on groynes west side
Long shore drift deposits from west to east
Conclusion on physical investigation
Erosion and long shore drift managed
Beach nourishment and groynes/seawall effective
Data from physical investigation
5m wider 7m higher then east of groyne
Gradient 5-7• on west
1-2• on east
Problems with physical data collection
Beach nourishment placed a lot of sand onto beach
So data less reliable
Limitations of physical data collection
When high tide occurred couldn’t access one side of groyne
Weather prevented access
No beach profile on that side
What other data could be useful for physical investigation
Satellite images can show sediment deflected by groyne
Taking pictures over time to observe changes in
We’re physical conclusions reliable
Only partly reliable as we only had a certain amount of data
We’re physical conclusions reliable
Only partly reliable as we only had a certain amount of data
Hypothesis of the human investigation
Visitors numbers increased
Public confidence in governing bodies increased
Why data collection methods used for human investigation
Questionnaire
Environmental quality serve
Sampling method for questionnaire
Approach members of public with open and closed questions to receive opinions on changes
How does questionnaires link to hypothesis
Help to prove it as more people visit due to new facilities employment increased in area
Why did we do questionnaires
To obtain different opinions from locals experienced first hand
Why use questionnaires
An be easily collected and graphed
Cost efficient way of of collecting data
Survey sampling method
Each site scored from 0-5 on noise litter vandalism facilites
Survey link to hypothesis
Weather regeneration has improved the environment and facilities
Why use surveys
To see if employment and environmental quality has increased in area
Publics opinion of the area
Why survey as a Method
A range of factors could be assessed easily collected and plotted onto bipolar graph
How did we present human data
Bar charts and bi polar graphs
What do bar charts show
Opinions and answers from questionnaire
Why use bar charts
Clear and easy to read
Quickly see trends and anomalies
What do bipolar graphs show
Show results from survey
Opinions of each site Individually
Why use bipolar graphs
Visual and clear to see
Different colour for categories
Comparable
Confusing to read
Conclusion of human investigation
Regeneration not successful
Complaint of empty shops
Some areas still rundown
Street not very attractive not looked after
Data from human investigation
50 people asked -68% thought unsuccessful -32% thought was
90% thought town looked ok
Most areas scored 3-4 high street scored 2
Problems with human data collection methods
-Only half a day in town inaccurate results
-bad weather could influence thought
-some avoid doing questionnaire
Limitations of human data collection
Length of time assessing not many questionnaires filled out
Other data that could’ve been useful to human investigation
Photographs at different times
Census data to understand employment rate
Are human conclusions reliable
Partly reliable not enough data
Need to be over multiple days
Are human conclusions reliable
Partly reliable not enough data
Need to be over multiple days
