Soft Engineering Flashcards
Define soft engineering?
Uses natural systems for coastal defence, such as beaches and dunes, which absorb and adjust to wave and tide energy.
What does soft engineering involve?
Working with natural coastal processes making it more environmentally sustainable.
Name 4 advantages of soft engineering?
More sustainable.
Relatively cheap.
Requires less maintenance.
Doesn’t harm wildlife.
Name 3 disadvantages of soft engineering?
Can be less effective than hard engineering.
Can take time to work - planting trees.
Do nothing option can put lives at risk as doesn’t reduce risk of flooding.
Name 5 examples of soft engineering?
Beach nourishment. Dune regeneration. Managed retreat. Land use management. Marsh creation.
What is beach nourishment?
Replacing material that has been lost through longshore drift
Sediment dredged from nearby seabed.
Local councils moves material from one end of beach to other end during tourist season.
What is dune regeneration?
Stabilising of dunes by planting marram grass, selective grazing, proving boardwalks for tourists.
Afforestation.
Restricting areas using fences.
Giving tourists information about potential dangers.
Why is dune regeneration needed?
Fragile sand dune environment easily disrupted by human activities.
Most damages caused by removal of vegetation by either agriculture or tourism - leads to blowouts.
What is managed retreat?
Abandoning current line of sea defence and developing exposed land - salt marshes - reduces wave power.
What is land-use management?
If erosion is inevitable local authority address people’s behaviour and educate local community.
What is marsh creation?
Realignment of coast.
Creating salt marshes to absorb wave energy.
What is do nothing
All current defences are abandoned and national courSes allowed to happen
Where does do nothing approach usually occur ?
Area with no sufficient human investment
Beach nourishment advantage
Cheap Easy - maintain Natural Increase tourism Wider beach
Beach nourishment disadvantage
Constant management
Natural processes deplete beach
