Soft Engineering Methods

Question 1

Beach nourishment

Answer 1

Replace beach sediment - more beach absorbs more wave energy
Adv: natural look, amenity for recreation (tourism)
Dis: £10/m3, not long lasting, sediment from offshore changes sediment cell (deeper water means more energy)

Question 2

Cliff regrading

Answer 2

Artificially cut slope to stable angle - no sudden collapse
Adv: natural look, confidence for homeowners, stable (if base protected)
Dis: £1mil, land and property lost when cutting, cliff drainage and vegetation needed, nature can change

Question 3

Cliff drainage

Answer 3

Drained with gravel to remove water - no lubrication layer
Adv: natural look since not visible, less mass movement, confidence for homeowners
Dis: difficult to implement - disturbs rock layers, only reduces mass movement

Question 4

Dune stabilisation

Answer 4

Monitoring and repairing dunes - planting grass, filling slacks
Adv: natural, effective against high tides, natural ecosystem
Dis: needs to be fenced off during works, strong storms can affect

Question 5

Managed retreat

Answer 5

Areas allowed to flood (salt marsh/buffer zones) - can’t stop higher SL
Adv: uninterrupted natural processes, extend ecosystems
Dis: need agreement from landowners, doesn’t prevent land loss, no compensation for property loss, loss of archaeology

Question 6

Ecological enhancement

Answer 6

Dorset - seaweed blanket on concrete buffers temp change and moistens - less weathering