Fieldwork Human/physical

Question 1

Title

Answer 1

How have humans Influenced coastal processes at Sandbanks Peninsular

Question 2

Location

Answer 2

Popular tourist destination affected by LSD. Fourth highest land value in the world. Humans have built groins to protect tourist industry and local businesses

Question 3

Theory

Answer 3

Humans have built sea defences to protect the coastline however this will have affected the coastline negatively further round

Question 4

Hypothesis

Answer 4

Physical processes at sandbanks have been affected by human management

Question 5

Data collection method: beach profile near groynes

Answer 5

1. 2 people of similar heights, complete four profiles across beach
2. First profile: use tape measure to measure top to bottom of groin
3. Break beach into five sections
4. From beginning of profile measure distance to the first break in slope
5. Person one stands at beginning and measures the angle at eyelevel to person to standing at break
6. Repeat for each section and profile

Question 6

Data collection method: measure impact of groyne

Answer 6

1. Use compass to find a direction and record the aspect of each side of the groyne
2. Measure from top of the groyne to surface of the beach each side
3. Take photo to show the difference in sediment levels
4. Repeat for each groyne using same point along the length of it

Question 7

Sampling method

Answer 7

Systematic- alternate groynes

Question 8

Risks and control measures

Answer 8

Weather: have waterproofs, warm clothing, spare clothes, sunscreen, hat

Question 9

Data presentation method

Answer 9

Line graph: plot angle of beach with distance from first groyne on X-axis and angle on y-axis
Ariel photo of beach: map direction of long shore drift

Question 10

Description of results

Answer 10

The height of the windward side of the groyne was higher than the leeward side showing that the groynes are reducing longshore drift. Proving the hypothesis that humans have impacted the physical environment

Question 11

Explanation of results

Answer 11

Angle of LSD: The direction of longshore drift is defined by prevailing wind. The south-westerly prevailing wind at sandbanks means that the height of the groynes on the southerly side of each groyne was much higher than the northerly side. This is because the sand is moved along the beach and when stopped by the groins builds up in height

Question 12

Conclusions

Answer 12

Sandbanks Peninsula matches the theory of longshore drift and demonstrates that humans have protected this area of coastline. However, Longshore drift is much worse further along the coast because of this

Question 13

Evaluation of methods

Answer 13

Measurements either side of the groyne are relatively accurate but that is assuming the land was flat when the groyne was built. Longshore drift is moving from the south-west and our method clearly shows this. Beach profile also shows that the angle of the beach is reduced due to the groynes and subsequently we can deduce that this is reducing erosion

Question 14

Improvements to methods

Answer 14

Use laser technology to get more accurate readings of the beach profile and groyne height.
Record beach profile at more points

Question 15

Evaluation results

Answer 15

Conduct the research in more locations along the coastline, not just in sandbanks Peninsula