Soft Engineering Method to Costal Erosion and Weathering Flashcards
What is managed retreat?
Its is the controlled flooding of an area. If an area is at high risk of flooding, managed retreat could be an option.
Benefits of managed retreat
Its cheap in the long term as you don’t pay for any defences; allows new species to come in due to mudflats and takes pressure off areas further along the coast.
Costs of managed retreat
People will have to relocate, loss of land and habitats infected making bird numbers decline, expensive in long term due to relocation costs.
What is beach nourishment?
It is the replacement of lost sediment. A nourished beach means that less waves reach the back of the beach as wave energy is absorbed and dissipated by the beach.
Give two examples of beach nourishment
Beach recharge and beach recycling.
What is beach recharge?
Where sediment is taken from a bay and placed on a beach that is losing sand.
What is beach recycling?
the removal of sand from a down-drift area (e.g sea bed) and returning it up-drift/
Benefits of beach nourishment
A wider beach means more room; it is natural and blends in; a wider beach means more tourists and more properties protected.
Costs of beach nourishment
Its still expensive; access to beach restricted for a few weeks.
What is the beach reprofiling?
It is the artificial re-shaping of a beach using existing beach material
Benefits of beach reprofiling
Its natural; gives a sense of security; cheaper repair costs if beach reprofiling is done.
Costs of beach reprofiling
Can be expensive; a high steep beach could look unnatural; bulldozers restrict access.
What is sand dune regeneration?
It is the artificial creation of new sand dunes or restoration of old ones. They act as an physical barrier by absorbing energy and water.
Benefits of sand dune regeneration
Protects land behind them; sand dunes are good habitats
Costs of sand dune regeneration
fences out tourists; weak; regular checking; fertilisers needed; not most effective
