Soft engineering

Question 1

Beach nourishment description

Answer 1

beaches are made higher and wider by importing sand/shingle to an area affected by longshore drift

Question 2

beach nourishment advantages

Answer 2

cheap, retains natural appearance of beach

Question 3

beach nourishment disadvantages

Answer 3

off shore dredging of sand/shingle increases erosion in other areas and damages ecosystems

Question 4

beach nourishment cost

Answer 4

£20/cu.m

Question 5

replanting vegetation description

Answer 5

plant salt-tolerant plants that will absorb some of the sea water

Question 6

vegetation advantages

Answer 6

provides habitats and doesn’t harm the environment, natural

Question 7

building bars description

Answer 7

stretch of sand/shingle deposited by longshore drift that goes out into the sea

Question 8

building bars advantages

Answer 8

more land can be used for residential or environmental purposes. salt marsh develops behind which can provide habitats

Question 9

managed retreat description

Answer 9

areas of the coast are allowed to erode. usually in areas with land of low value

Question 10

managed retreat advantages

Answer 10

retains natural balance of the coastal ecosystem, erode material encourages development of beaches and salt marshes

Question 11

managed retreat disadvantages

Answer 11

people loose their livelihoods e.g. farmers. must be compensated

Question 12

managed retreat cost

Answer 12

depends on amount of compensation