P1 Section C (Coastal Systems and Landscapes) Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a System

A

A system is a set of interrupted components working together towards some kind of process.

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2
Q

Closed System

A

a closed system is a system that transfers energy, but not matter, across its boundary to the surroundings like our planet

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3
Q

Open system

A

an open system it a system that transfers both matter and energy across its boundary to the surroundings like most ecosystems

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4
Q

What is an Input

A

An input is an addition of matter, energy or information to a system

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5
Q

What is an output

A

an output is the movement of matter, energy or information out of a system

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6
Q

What is a store

A

a store is a place where matter, energy or information is stored in a system.

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7
Q

what is a sediment cell (area, transfers)

A

a sediment cell is an area of shoreline that encompass the intertidal and nearshore movement of sediment, it basically consists of zones of erosion (e.g. shoreline bluffs), transport (e.g. beaches), and deposition (e.g. spit) and is a closed system

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8
Q

what is dynamic equilibrium in sediment cells

A

dynamic equilibrium in sediment cells refers to the maintenance of balance in sediment, with both outputs and inputs counteracting change to keep balance.

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9
Q

what happens if sediment budget decreases?

A

when sediment budget decreases, waves will move sediment and cause erosion

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10
Q

what happens if sediment budget increases

A

when sediment budget increases, deposition will occur as a way to remove excess material.

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11
Q

what type of systems are sediment cells?

A

sediment cells are usually closed systems as they do not transfer sediment to one another

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12
Q

what are examples of coastal inputs

A

examples of coastal inputs include waves, tides, sun, pollution and wind speed.

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13
Q

what are examples of coastal outputs

A

examples of coastal outputs include evaporation, riptides and currents.

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14
Q

what are examples of coastal stores

A

examples of coastal stores include beaches, sand dunes, caves and arch’s

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15
Q

what are transfers

A

transfers are the processes that link inputs stores and outputs

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16
Q

examples of transfers

A

examples of transfers include erosion (abrasion and hydraulic action), transportation (solution and traction) and deposition (flocculation and gravity settling)

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17
Q

what is positive feedback and example in sand dunes

A

positive feedback is when a system is taken away from dynamic equilibrium such as people walking over sand dunes will damage plants, which makes the dunes more erosive as less stable and they become eroded even further.

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18
Q

what is negative feedback and example

A

negative feedback is lessening a change that has occurred in the system such as if a cliff is eroded, the material forms a wave cut platform below and prevents further erosion of the cliff.

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19
Q

sources of sediment at the coast

A

sources of sediment at the coat include rivers (fluvial flow), wind blowing sand (aeolian flow), cliff erosion and longshore drift.

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20
Q

littoral zone

A

the littoral zone is the area between the cliffs or dunes of a coast and the offshore area that is beyond the influence of waves and so is covered by the sea at some times.

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21
Q

what factors change the littoral zone?

A

factors that change the littoral zone can be short term like storms and long term factors like changes in sea level.

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22
Q

how do waves form (frictional, small,

A

waves form by wind passing over water creating frictional drag causing small ripples which produces a orbital movement of particles so waves move horizontally in shallower waters. more horizontally moving of waves causes them to gain height, but when height increases, wavelength and wave velocity decrease causing the wave to break and surge up the beach.

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23
Q

factors affecting the energy of waves

A

factors affecting the energy of waves include strength of wind, duration of wind (long time means more energy build up) and fetch (fetch is the distance the wind blows over)

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24
Q

characteristics of a constructive wave

A

characteristics of a constructive wave include formed by weathers in the open ocean, have long wavelength, low frequency, low wave height, strong swash and weak backwash and constructive waves occur on gently sloping coasts

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25
Q

characteristics of destructive wave

A

characteristics of destructive waves include happen by storms close to the coast, destructive waves have short wavelength, long frequency, higher waveheight and they have weak swash and strong backwash and they occur on steep sided coasts.

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26
Q

what is tidal energy at the coast

A

tidal energy at the coast is energy caused by gravity of the moon pulling water and causes a high tide and if the earths surface is far from the moon then there is low tide.

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27
Q

what are spring tides

A

spring tides are times of the year when the gravitational pull from the moon is strongest and gives highest tides

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28
Q

what are neap tides

A

neap tides are the time of the year when the gravitational pull of the moon is weakest and the tides are at the lowest.

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29
Q

When do longshore currents occur

A

longshore currents occur when a wave releases a burst of energy parallel to the coastline

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30
Q

how is longshore current energy determined?

A

longshore current energy is determined by height of wave break and angle of beach slope. So if wave breaks at a tall height at a steep beach angle, then longshore current energy and velocity increases

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31
Q

characteristics of a high energy coastline

A

characteristics of a high energy coastline include destructive waves, rocky headlands and landforms and faster rate of erosion than deposition.

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32
Q

characteristics of a low energy coastline

A

low energy coastlines have constructive waves, sandy areas and there are depositional landforms like bars and spits and rate of deposition exceeds rate of erosion

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33
Q

when does wave refraction occur

A

wave refraction occurs when the coast is discordant so waves move faster and slower due to more and less friction and waves refract away from the headland as they have low energy and diverge into bays

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34
Q

What is attrition

A

attrition is wave action causing rocks to hit against each other and become small and round

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35
Q

what is corrasion

A

corrasion is when rocks are picked up by waves and hurled at the cliffs

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36
Q

abrasion

A

abrasion is when sediment scrapes along the shoreline and worn down

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37
Q

hydraulic action

A

hydraulic action is when waves crash into a crack in cliff, high pressure causes air to expand and further crack the rocks

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38
Q

corrOsion

A

CorrOsion is when acidic water can erode alkaline rocks like limestone

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39
Q

What is wave quarrying

A

wave quarrying is when waves break against cliffs and erode it from shear force

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40
Q

What are factors affecting erosion

A

factors affecting erosion are waves (strength and velocity), size of littoral zone (can absorb energy), rock type (sedimentary rocks like sandstone are weaker) and rock faults (faults, cracks and joints can weaken rocks before erosion).

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41
Q

What is traction

A

traction is when large heavy sediment is rolled along the sea bed.

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42
Q

saltation

A

saltation is when small sediment bounces along the sea bed

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43
Q

What is suspension

A

suspension is when fine sediments are held up and carried by the flow of the water

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44
Q

What is solution

A

solution is when dissolved material is carried within the water

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45
Q

what is weathering

A

weathering is the breakdown of rocks over time leading to the transfer of the material into the littoral zone, where it becomes an input to sediment cells.

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46
Q

what is freeze thaw weathering

A

freeze thaw is a mechanical weathering is when water goes into cracks, freezes, expands and causes an increase of pressure which erode the rock

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47
Q

what is carbonation weathering

A

carbonation weathering is a chemical weathering when rain absorbs carbon dioxide from air which forms a weak carbonic acid that then reacts with calcium carbonate in rocks to make it easier to dissolve.

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48
Q

what is plant root weathering

A

plant root is biological weathering when roots grow into cracks, faults and joints which exerts pressure and eventually splits the rock

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49
Q

formation of wave-cut notch and platform

A

a wave-cut notch forms when hydraulic action and corrasion concentrates at the high-tide and creates a notch in the cliff which is weakened by sub-aerial weathering like plant roots and so eventually it collapses through mass movement leaving behind a platform, and this process repeats and creates a wave-cut platform.

50
Q

What is a swash aligned coast

A

A swash aligned coast is when the wave travels straight to the beach and so there is limited longshore drift.

51
Q

What is a drift aligned coast

A

A drift aligned coast is when waves approach at a significant angle so there is more longshore drift

52
Q

how does a spit form

A

spits form when the coast changes angle and increases turbidity so more deposition happens by longshore drift and salt marshes will form behind the spit as it is sheltered.

53
Q

what is a tombolo

A

a tombolo is a spit that connects to an island offshore.

54
Q

what is a bar

A

a bar is when a spit joins two headlands and traps water and forms of a lagoon

55
Q

halophytes

A

halophytes are plants that grow in saltwater

56
Q

humus

A

humus is decomposed matter that is added to sediment naturally

57
Q

stages of plant succession

A

stages of plant succession start with pioneer stage, where pioneer plants grow, the 2nd stage is establishment and then stabilisation until finally climatic climax, where in the UK large plants grow like oak trees.

58
Q

What is plagio-climax (plant succession)

A

plagio-climax is when vegetation is artificially induced in pastures and farmland.

59
Q

what happens to pH as distance from sea increases

A

as distance from sea increases, pH decreases as there is less alkaline sea water and also humus will decrease pH as organic materials adds acidity.

60
Q

what is needed to start a sand dune

A

to start a sand dune a large inter-tidal zone and large sediment budget (so the prevailing winds can blow the sand towards the back of the beach) and strong onshore winds are necessary.

61
Q

what is short-term sea level change caused by

A

Short-term sea level change is caused by high tides and low tides, wind strength and wind direction

62
Q

reasons for increase in biodiversity further into the dunes

A

biodiversity increases further into the dunes as there is less environmental stressors (like shelter from wind), there is lower pH, less salinity, more humus (so rich, fertile soils) and also the dunes are more stabilised so lichens and various grasses grow.

63
Q

what is eustatic change (sea level)

A

eustatic change is a change in global sea level, usually due to a change in the volume of water in the oceans.

64
Q

what causes eustatic change?

A

eustatic change is typically caused by thermal expansion/contraction (when heat causes water particles to expand) or changes in glacial processes.

65
Q

what is isostatic change (sea level)

A

isostatic change a localised change, of land level - when land rises or falls, relative to the sea level.

66
Q

what causes isostatic rise in land level and therefore fall in sea level?

A

an isostatic rise in land level (causing fall in sea level) may be caused by post-glacial adjustment, tectonics and accretion (sediment cells experiencing more deposition so land builds up and sea level falls)

67
Q

what causes isostatic fall in land level, therefore rise in sea level?

A

Isostatic fall in land level (making a rise in sea level) is caused by post-glacial adjustment, tectonics and subsidence (excessive amount of deposition causes land to sink).

68
Q

emergent landforms

A

emergent landforms appear when sea level falls and land rises, they are features like arch’s, stacks and stumps that are preserved

69
Q

When do submergent landforms appear

A

submergent landforms appear when land level sinks and sea level rises.

70
Q

examples of submergent coastal landforms

A

examples of submergent coastal landforms are rias, fjords and dalmatian costs

71
Q

what is a shoreline management plan? (SMP)

A

A shoreline management plan is a policy for managing a particular sediment cell.

72
Q

hold the line (example of SMP)

A

hold the line is management by using defences to maintain the current position of the coast

73
Q

What does managed retreat do (example of SMP

A

managed retreat allows the coast to advance inland and it buys time to build nature defences like salt marshes

74
Q

What is advance the line (example of SMP)

A

advance the line is when defences are built to move the shoreline seawards mainly to protect a population centre or tourist amenity

75
Q

What is integrated coastal zone management (ICZM)

A

integrated coastal zone management is a sustainable management of the coast within one strategy, taking into consideration stakeholders and the nearby population .

76
Q

pro of SMP

A

a pro of SMP is that it reduces human intervention by allowing natural change of the coastline by working with nature

77
Q

con of SMP

A

a con of SMP is that risks may not be correctly examined and incorrect precautions may be taken

78
Q

pro of ICZM

A

a pro of ICZM is that it incorporates stakeholders and local organisations and also considers the full coastal process recognising one defence in this place may increase erosion in another

79
Q

con of ICZM

A

a con ICZM is that local authorities can be overruled by a higher-governance level.

80
Q

where is the maldives located (case study for sea level rise)

A

the maldives is located in the indian ocean, south west of sri lanka

81
Q

how much of the land lie below 1 metre in maldives

A

80% of the land lies below 1 metre in maldives

82
Q

how many airports and harbours does the maldives have

A

the maldives has 5 airports and 128 harbours, all near the coastlines

83
Q

in 2007, how many people were evacuated from their homes and why and how many home were damaged in maldives

A

In 2007, more than 1600 people were evacuated from their homes as a result of numerous swells, the swells also damaged over 500 houses in maldives

84
Q

how is the maldives threatened by the sea?

A

the maldives is threatened by the sea as increasing sea temperature will destroy reefs and the sea level rise is rising over the land

85
Q

by how many mm does the sea level rise by in the maldives?

A

the maldives is experiencing a 3mm rise per year, so in 300 years, most of the island will be underwater

86
Q

population of the maldives

A

population of the maldives is 360,000 people

87
Q

how close are the 2 international airports to the coastline in Maldives

A

the 2 international airports are within 50 metres of the coastline in maldives

88
Q

political issue of rising sea levels in the maldives

A

a political issue of rising sea levels in the maldives is that 300,000 maldivians could become environmental refugees, which would rise dependency ratio and increase the economic pressure on the workforce.

89
Q

what is a social issue of rising sea levels in the maldives

A

a social issue of rising sea levels in the maldives is islanders infrastructure are in danger of being flooded or eroded - losing communal areas, areas of tradition and culture etc.

90
Q

economic issue of rising sea levels in Maldives

A

an economic issue of rising sea levels in the Maldives is that tourism makes up nearly 30% of the Maldives GDP showing the government is over-reliant on one source of economy.

91
Q

What is an environmental issue of rising sea level in Maldives

A

An environmental issue of rising sea levels in the Maldives is land will become infertile due to saltwater inundation and beaches will constantly be in need of replenishment as they are destroyed

92
Q

What is the Sundarbans?

A

The sundarbans is a 10,000km^2 delta in Southwestern Bangladesh and East India

93
Q

What is the Sundarbans topography

A

The Sundarbans topography is very flat and low-lying

94
Q

What is the Sundarbans intersected by?

A

The Sundarbans is intersected by thousands of channels containing sandy or silty islands.

95
Q

What are large areas of the Sundarbans protected by

A

Large areas of the Sundarbans are protected by a National Park or Forestry Reserve

96
Q

How does the Sundarbans sediment store stay the same

A

The Sundarbans sediment store stays the same as material is deposited by rivers and eroded by the seas

97
Q

How many people live in the Sundarbans

A

4 million people live in the Sundarbans

98
Q

What are opportunities brought by natural resources in the Sundarbans

A

Opportunities brought by natural resources in the Sundarbans include flat and fertile land for crops like rice, a rich ecosystem providing fish, crabs and honey, and forests providing Nipa Palm leaves and timber for infrastructure and furniture.

99
Q

What are the opportunities brought by mangroves in the Sundarbans

A

The opportunities brought by the mangroves in Sundarbans include natural flood barriers and protection from coastal erosion as roots bind soils together

100
Q

What are the opportunities brought by development in the Sundarbans

A

Opportunities brought by development in the Sundarbans include tourism and dredging of channels to allow passage for cargo ships and power plants north of the region

101
Q

What is mitigation

A

Mitigation is reducing the severity of hazards and other problems

102
Q

What is adaptation

A

Adaptation is adjusting behaviour to fit the environment

103
Q

What is resilience

A

Resilience is being able to cope with the challenges of the environment

104
Q

How to people overcome the risks of the Sundarbans

A

People overcome the risks of the Sundarbans by mitigation, resilience and adaptation.

105
Q

What are developmental and occupational risks of the Sundarbans

A

Developmental and occupational risks of the Sundarbans are a lack of fresh water, mangroves removed for population (which increases flooding), flooding leads to salinisation so crops can’t grow, lack of communication so no flood warnings and lack of employment and income.

106
Q

Examples of adaptation in Sundarbans

A

Examples of mitigation in Sundarbans are USAID training 30,000 locals in sustainable fishing and farming, planting rice which is more salt-tolerant and building storage tanks for access to freshwater during coastal floods

107
Q

Examples of resilience in Sundarbans

A

Examples of resilience in Sundarbans are the Livelihoods Fund planting 16 million man gives since 2011 and it is hoped these 16 million mangroves with capture 617,000 tonnes of carbon over 20 years and increase protection and provide resources

108
Q

Examples of mitigation in Sundarbans

A

Examples of mitigation in Sundarbans are 3500km of embankments built to prevent floods and investing in multi-purpose buildings for schools and cyclone shelters

109
Q

What is a disadvantage of the 3500km^2 of embankments in the Sundarbans

A

A disadvantage of the 3500km^2 embankments is that 800km of them are vulnerable to storms so will be eroded

110
Q

What do coastal management projects aim to do for mitigation with mangroves in the Sundarbans

A

Coastal management projects in the Sundarbans aim to protect existing areas of mangroves and replant areas that have been removed in order to protect against flooding

111
Q

What is a challenge of coastal management projects

A

A challenge of coastal management projects is that it is difficult to prevent illegal forest clearance

112
Q

How much did 3500km embankments cost the Sundarbans

A

The 3500km of embankments in the Sundarbans coat £28 million

113
Q

Where is Holderness

A

Holderness is on the East coast of Yorkshire, England.

114
Q

How did the government use mitagation strategies to prevent erosion in Easington and Mappleton of Holderness.

A

The government used mitigation strategies such as £2 million worth of revetments in Easington and Mappleton to prevent erosion.

115
Q

How did Skipsea Holiday Park suffer as a result of the Government’s investment elsewhere

A

Skipsea Holiday Park suffered as a results of the governments investment elsewhere as they needed to build their own Gabions as the government did not invest.

116
Q

Why did the Government not invest in the coastal defence of Skipsea Holiday Park

A

The Government didn’t invest in the Skipsea Holiday Parks coastal defence as it is not considered to be beneficial the the economy, unlike Easington and Mappleton in Holderness.

117
Q

How do Dalmatian coasts form

A

Dalmatian costa form by rising sea level invading low level land areas to make it appear there are islands from the coast

118
Q

How do fjords form

A

Fjords form when melting glaciers bring rock down with them creating U-shaped valleys filled with melted glacial ice

119
Q

How do rias form

A

Rias form by river valleys submerging by rising seal levels

120
Q

Aeolian process

A

Aeolian process is anything caused by wind like aeolian deposition

121
Q

How is coastal management sustainable in West Sussex

A

coastal management is sustainable in West Sussex as when groynes are broken, they’re recycled and the timber is used by local people such as for commercial kitchens and raised herb gardens