Topic 2: Coasts

key terms / processes

Is the coast an open or closed system?

Open system

However, during coastline management the coast can be seen as a closed system where a specific sediment cell is examined.

What is an open system?

It receives inputs from outside the system and transfers outputs away from the coast and into other systems.

The coastal system is in a state of:

dynamic equilibrium

What is dynamic equilibrium?

Inputs and outputs are equal. A state of balance.