Soft engineering Flashcards
What is soft engineering? (Soft coasts)
A method that attempts to work with the environment but still protect the coastline
What are the 6 types of soft engineering? (Soft coasts)
Beach replenishment Beach profiling Managed retreat Beach recycling Salt marsh creation Beach drainage
What is beach replenishment? (Soft coasts)
The process by which sand is replaced along the beach
What is beach profiling? (Soft coasts)
shaping the beach into a particular way so it absorbs more energy during storms
What is managed retreat? (Soft coasts)
allowing the coastline to take back the land
What is beach recycling? (Soft coasts)
moving materials from one end to the beach (where is has been deposited) to the other (where it has been eroded)
What is salt marsh creation? (Soft coasts)
encouraging salt marshes and mud flats to grow
What is beach drainage? (Soft coasts)
taking the excess water from the underneath of the beach using a drainage pipe
How effective is beach replenishment? (Soft coasts)
+ beach will be more effective at dispersing waves
- expensive
- noisy (habitat disruption)
How effective is beach profiling? (Soft coasts)
+ natural look
- sea will constantly change so profiling the coastline will be a continuous job
How effective is managed retreat? (Soft coasts)
+ marshland will form meaning abundance of habitats
+ marshland will act as a sea defence
- may cause social unrest
How effective is beach recycling? (Soft coasts)
+ no extra material needed
+ beach will have an even profile
- 3 times a year
- may disturb wildlife
How effective is salt marsh creation? (Soft coasts)
+ helps to absorb wave energy
+ may protect other parts of the land from flooding
- some homes/businesses may be lost
How effective is beach drainage? (Soft coasts)
+ sand acts as a natural barrier to waves
+ natural
- drainage pipes will be costly
