Walton On The Naze Flashcards
Enquiry Q
To what extent does vegetation succession impact the North Coast of Walton on the Naze?
Primary methods validity
Succession % coverage - went vertically up beach to see progression of coverage - would expect to see evidence of succession
Beach profile - went vertically up beach as this is the direction of erosion - could see how erosion impacted area
Field sketch - looked at it from high up point to see whole beach - could see whole system and impact of deposition and erosion
Primary methods accuracy
Succession % - used a quadrant - easier to estimate correct vegetation coverage - used tape measure to measure 3m intervals
Beach profile - used a clinometer to get accurate degree readings - 2 people of similar heights did it as didn’t have ranging poles
Field sketch- vantage point meant we could depict surroundings better - took time to draw so more accurate
Primary methods reliability
Succession % - used multiple opinions and took averages to avoid subjectivity and anomalies
Beach profile - repeated beach profile to reduce anomalies
Field sketch - took a photo of area to add more detail later
Systematic sampling
Succession % - to get full perspective of changes from front to back of beach
Reflects succession
Had 35 measurements by using transect 3m intervals -
Large sample size - less anomolous effect
Stratified sampling
Beach profile - measures everywhere we thought there was a change in gradient - better than systematic cuz then don’t miss smaller changes on gradient - increased accuracy
Bipolar and field sketch - chose locations which produced good view of area and management of sea wall - could accurately look at impact of the sea wall
Evaluating primary methods
The percentage coverage was an estimate, so not as accurate
Succession bio diversity survey - used a book and many plants looks similar so may have an accurately identified them
Beach Profile - may have missed changes ingredients if they were smaller and not seen by eye
Data presentation methods
Succession/biodiversity % coverage - kite diagram - can clearly compare % of each species - width of kite visually communicative - doesn’t give any specific data ( cord grass dominant till last 10: cuz very halophytic - shrub sea life only in last 10m cuz less adapted)
Beach profile - very wide 75m beach - high deposition- can easily visualise transect - can see evidence of gradient change - the actual number for gradient not as clear
Field sketch - can see processes like deposition and erosion through wave cut platform - large creeks in salt marsh due to flooding
Not as accurate as a photograph
Overall judgements
Clear evidence of vegetation succession
But sea wall increasing flood risk due to coastal squeeze- little land for water to go when tide is high so salt marsh inundated and creeks form
Lack of unadapted pants suggests flooding is stopping less adapted plants from developing
Secondary data
Blog analysis - highlights environmental value of salt marsh - can see high succession and visible erosion
Community value
SMP analysis - the Naze is protected so it can be used for tourism - and to protect nature reserve behind
- aren’t protecting cliffs cuz they provide important data in fossils and they don’t wanna disrupt it
Google earth GIS - shows 60m of recession - salt marsh has shrunk and is disappearing- vegetation impact limited by human management and erosion
- highlights changes in size of salt marsh - effect of sea wall
General correlation tests
Spearman’s rank
Chi2
Mann Whitney I - for more qualitative data
Techniques for unseen fieldwork
Longshore drift test - float in water and watch to see direction
Field sketch
Photograph analysis
Beach profile - shows accumulation of sediment
Roundness test like zings classification
Wave frequency showing whether constructive or destructive
