Soft Engineering

Question 1

Soft engineering works with

Answer 1

natural processes and material

Question 2

Beach nourishment/ replenishment is what

Answer 2

Adding sand or shingle to a beach to widen it - this creates more surface area to absorb wave energy

Question 3

Beach nourishment/ replenishment advantage

Answer 3

Looks very natural

Bigger beaches are good for tourism

Relatively inexpensive

Question 4

Beach nourishment/ replenishment disadvantage

Answer 4

Material is constantly subject to erosion and longshore drift so lots of maintenance and monitoring is needed

Dredging the seabed can have impacts of local ecosystems

Question 5

Marsh Creation

Answer 5

This is a form of do-nothing or managed retreat. Land is allowed to be flooded by the sea and then left to become a salt marsh. This absorbs wave energy and also creates a buffer to rising sea level and projects higher value land.

Question 6

marsh creation advantage

Answer 6

A cheap option

Creates important and unique wildlife habitats

Question 7

marsh creation disadvantage

Answer 7

Agricultural land is lost which creates a need for compensation

Question 8

Dune stabilisation

Answer 8

Planting species like Marram grass so that the roots bind the dunes. The dunes absorb wave energy and protect the land behind.

Question 9

Dune stabilisation advantages

Answer 9

Cheap and sustainable

Creates habitats for wildlife

Maintains a natural environment

Question 10

dune stabilisation disadvantages

Answer 10

People walk on the dunes and damage them

Planting is time consuming and it takes time for plant species to become established