Hard and soft management examples

Question 1

Groynes (structures built at right angles to the coast that trap sediment from being moved along by longshore drift)

Answer 1

+ Work with natural processes to build up the beach
- Starve beaches further along the coast of sediment, leading to increased erosion
E.g. Mappleton, Holderness Coast

Question 2

Sea walls (curved face to reflect waves back at the sea)

Answer 2

+ Often have a promenade for people to walk along
- Very expensive to build at £6000 a meter
E.g. Hornsea, Holderness Coast

Question 3

Rip rap/rock armour (large rocks forming a permeable barrier to break up waves energy)

Answer 3

+ Relatively cheap and easy to build and maintain
- Rocks cause danger for people walking along them
E.g. Lyme Regis, Dorset

Question 4

Revetments (sloping structures that break up waves energy)

Answer 4

+ Relatively inexpensive to build
- Can need high levels of maintenance
E.g. Happisburgh, Norfolk

Question 5

Offshore breakwater (partly submerged rock barrier, designed to break up waves before they reach the coast)

Answer 5

+ An effective permeable barrier
- Visually unappealing and potential navigation hazard
E.g. Sea Palling, Norfolk

Question 6

Beach nourishment (addition of sand to an existing beach)

Answer 6

+ Increases tourist potential by creating bigger beach
- Needs constant maintenance because of erosion and longshore drift
E.g. Pevensey Bay, East Sussex

Question 7

Cliff regrading and drainage (reducing the angle of a cliff to help stabilise it, remove water to prevent landslides and slumping)

Answer 7

+ Regrading can work on clay or loose rock where other methods wouldnt and drainage is cost effective
- Regrading causes cliff to retreat and drainage can cause rocks to dry out and fall
E.g. Barton-on-sea, Hampshire

Question 8

Dune stabilisation (marram grass can be planted and fences put up to stop walkers)

Answer 8

+ Provides important wildlife habitats
- Time consuming to plant marram grass
E.g. Formby, Merseyside

Question 9

Marsh creation (form of managed retreat, by allowing low-lying coastal areas to become flooded by the sea)

Answer 9

+ Creates a natural defence and wildlife habitat
- Farmers or landowners need to be compensated
E.g. Abbotts Hall Farm, Essex