Salford Quays & Talacre Fieldwork: Urban Regeneration & Coastal Ecosystems

Aim of Salford Quays fieldwork

To investigate how urban regeneration has changed the area of Salford Quays and assess how successful the redevelopment has been.

Hypothesis tested at Salford Quays

Urban regeneration at Salford Quays has improved the quality of the built environment and residents' quality of life.

Primary data collected at Salford Quays

Environmental Quality Surveys (EQS), pedestrian counts, land-use mapping, questionnaires, field sketches or annotated photos.

Secondary data used

Zoopla house prices in Salford Quays

Data presentation methods used

Radar graphs, bar charts, land-use maps, pie charts

Usefulness of radar graphs for EQS data

They allow multiple environmental factors (e.g. noise, litter, traffic, greenery) to be compared visually across sites.

Patterns found from data

Sites near MediaCityUK and The Lowry had higher EQS scores and more pedestrian activity, showing successful regeneration.

Conclusions from Salford Quays fieldwork

Regeneration has improved the built environment, increased footfall, and created a vibrant mixed-use area.

Factors affecting results

Time of day, weather conditions, subjective EQS scoring, and small sample size.

Improving reliability of Salford Quays data

Repeat surveys at different times, increase sample size, average EQS scores from multiple people, use secondary data.

what should you do for the 9 marker: Evaluate the effectiveness of your Salford Quays fieldwork.

enquiry was effective because data collection matched aim. Radar graphs showed clear patterns of regenerative success. However, small sample size and potential biased sample reduced reliability. Time of day also effects accuracy as may not show full view of how area functions and doesnt show any variation of activity.

Aim of Talacre fieldwork

To investigate how and why sand dune ecosystems change with increasing distance inland from the beach.

Hypothesis tested at Talacre

Dune vegetation cover and soil development increase with distance inland.

Primary data collected at Talacre

Quadrat surveys (vegetation % cover, species count), dune height/slope angle, soil pH, soil moisture, and distance inland.

Secondary data supporting investigation

Aerial photos, OS maps, and coastal management information such as dune fencing.

Data presentation methods used for Talacre

Radar graphs, line graphs, and annotated field sketches.

Benefit of radar graphs in dune succession data

They allow multiple variables (pH, vegetation %, organic matter) to be compared at each site, showing dune maturity increasing inland.

Trends identified in Talacre data

Dune height and vegetation cover increased inland, soil pH decreased, and species diversity increased.

Processes explaining trends in Talacre data

Wind deposition builds embryo dunes; marram grass stabilises them; plant decay enriches soil; leading to fixed dunes further inland.

Factors affecting Talacre data

Uneven sampling intervals, difficulty identifying species, changing weather or tides, and limited transect length.

Improvements for reliability of Talacre data

Repeat transects, use systematic sampling, collect in consistent weather, and combine class data for larger sample size.

What methods were used in the Talacre Sand Dunes fieldwork?

Quadrats and pH tests

What type of graphs were used to show trends in the Talacre Sand Dunes fieldwork?

Radar and line graphs

What was the overall effectiveness of the Talacre Sand Dunes investigation?

The investigation was effective in providing convincing evidence of dune succession.

What limitations affected the reliability of the Talacre Sand Dunes fieldwork results?

Sampling error and environmental variability

What similarity exists between the two fieldwork enquiries?

Both involved collecting primary data systematically and presenting it using radar graphs to identify spatial patterns.

What is a key difference between human and physical fieldwork enquiries?

The human enquiry investigated regeneration and quality of life, while the physical enquiry examined natural change and succession.

How could GIS have been utilized in the fieldwork?

To map EQS scores, vegetation cover, and compare spatial data layers digitally for clearer analysis.

What is one strength of the overall fieldwork?

Clear aims linked to appropriate data.

What is one weakness of the overall fieldwork?

Limited sample size and potential subjectivity.

How can the reliability of fieldwork be improved?

By repeating data collection, combining class results, using mixed methods, and cross-referencing with secondary sources.

What are the main UK landscape types?

Upland (mountainous) and Lowland areas (flat regions)

Weathering

The process of breaking down rocks and minerals through physical, chemical, or biological means.

Erosion

The removal of surface material from one location and its transport to another by natural forces such as wind or water.

Transportation

The movement of eroded materials from one place to another.

Deposition

The process by which sediments, soil, and rocks are added to a landform or land mass.

Tectonic uplift

The geological process where the Earth's crust is raised due to tectonic forces.

Glaciation

The process by which glaciers form and spread, shaping the landscape through erosion and deposition.

Upland areas

Regions in the UK that are mainly located in the north and west.

Lowland areas

Regions in the UK that are mainly located in the south and east.

River Severn

One of the main river systems in the UK.

River Thames

One of the main river systems in the UK.

River Trent

One of the main river systems in the UK.

River Tees

One of the main river systems in the UK.

River Avon

One of the main river systems in the UK.

River Wye

One of the main river systems in the UK.

Weathering

The breakdown of rock in situ (without movement) by physical, chemical, or biological processes.

Mass movement

The downward movement of rock and soil due to gravity (e.g. sliding, slumping, rockfalls).

Coastal erosion types

Hydraulic action, abrasion, attrition, and solution.

Longshore drift

The zig-zag movement of sediment along the coast, caused by waves hitting the shore at an angle (swash carries material up, backwash moves it down).

Constructive waves

Constructive waves have a strong swash and build beaches.

Destructive waves

Destructive waves have a strong backwash and erode the coastline.

Common Misconception about waves

Students often think constructive waves are larger, but destructive waves are actually higher and more frequent.

How are headlands and bays formed?

Differential erosion of alternating bands of hard and soft rock; softer rock erodes faster to form bays, while harder rock remains as headlands.

What process leads to the formation of cliffs and wave-cut platforms?

Waves erode the base of the cliff forming a wave-cut notch; the overhang collapses, causing the cliff to retreat inland and leaving a flat platform.

Describe the formation process of caves, arches, stacks, and stumps.

Faults in headlands are enlarged by erosion, forming caves; when a cave cuts through, it creates an arch; the roof collapses leaving a stack, and further erosion creates a stump.

How are beaches formed?

By deposition of sediment when wave energy decreases, often in sheltered bays or behind spits.

What are spits and how do they form?

Spits form when longshore drift transports sediment beyond a headland into open water, creating a narrow ridge that may curve due to wave refraction or secondary wind direction.

What is a bar and how does it form?

A bar forms when a spit grows across a bay, connecting two headlands and trapping a lagoon behind it.

How are sand dunes formed?

Wind blows sand inland from beaches; obstacles cause deposition, and pioneer plants like marram grass stabilize dunes, allowing them to build upwards.

What is a common misconception about sand dunes?

Many believe dunes are fixed features, but they constantly change and migrate due to wind and vegetation balance.

What geological material is the Holderness Coast primarily made of?

Soft boulder clay, which is easily eroded by hydraulic action and abrasion.

What natural process contributes to the erosion of the Holderness Coast?

Longshore drift moves material south, leaving cliffs unprotected.

What are the main hard engineering strategies used at Holderness?

Sea walls, groynes, and rock armour at Mappleton.

What management strategy is employed in less valuable areas of Holderness?

Managed retreat.

What is one effect of coastal management at Holderness?

Erosion has increased further south due to interrupted sediment transport.

What should be included in evaluations of coastal management strategies?

Both social/economic benefits and environmental trade-offs.

Hard engineering

Examples include sea walls, groynes, gabions, rock armour, and revetments.

Soft engineering

Examples include beach nourishment, dune regeneration, and managed retreat.

Common Misconception

Hard engineering is not always better — it's often more expensive and causes unintended erosion elsewhere.

Managed retreat

Allowing controlled flooding of low-lying coastal land to reduce pressure elsewhere — sustainable and cost-effective.

Hydraulic action

A type of river erosion caused by the force of water.

Abrasion

A type of river erosion where rocks and sediment wear away the riverbed and banks.

Attrition

A type of river erosion where rocks and stones collide and break into smaller pieces.

Solution

A type of river erosion where minerals are dissolved in the water.

Traction

A type of river transport where larger particles roll along the riverbed.

Saltation

A type of river transport where smaller particles bounce along the riverbed.

Suspension

A type of river transport where fine particles are carried within the water.

Deposition

When a river loses energy and drops sediment, usually on the inside of meanders, in floodplains, or at the mouth.

Solution (transport)

A type of river transport where minerals are dissolved in the water.

How are waterfalls formed?

Waterfalls form when a river flows over hard rock overlying softer rock. The softer rock erodes faster, undercutting the hard rock, leading to an overhang that eventually collapses, causing the waterfall to retreat upstream and leave a gorge.

What is the process of forming interlocking spurs?

Interlocking spurs are formed in the upper course of a river as it winds around hard rock, cutting deep V-shaped valleys and leaving high land projecting on either side.

How do meanders and oxbow lakes form?

Meanders form due to erosion on the outer bend and deposition on the inner bend, causing the meander to migrate. Eventually, during a flood, the neck of the meander narrows and cuts through, leaving behind an oxbow lake.

What processes lead to the formation of floodplains?

Floodplains are formed from repeated flooding that deposits alluvium across the area.

How are levees formed?

Levees form as heavier sediment is deposited first at the riverbanks during floods, creating raised banks along the river.

What river landforms are illustrated by the River Tees case study?

Waterfall (High Force), meanders, levees, and estuary.

How is the High Force Waterfall formed?

The River Tees flows over resistant Whin Sill dolerite above softer limestone, leading to differential erosion that forms the waterfall and gorge.

What caused the Boscastle flood in 2004?

Heavy rainfall on steep slopes and impermeable geology led to flash flooding, resulting in 58 properties being flooded and 150 people rescued by helicopter.

What flood management strategies were implemented in Boscastle?

The river channel was widened and deepened, a flood wall was built, and a new bridge was installed to facilitate water flow.

Physical causes of flooding

Heavy rainfall, steep relief, impermeable rock, saturated ground.

Human causes of flooding

Deforestation, urbanisation (impermeable surfaces), poor drainage, floodplain development.

Hard engineering river defences

Dams, reservoirs, channel straightening, embankments.

Soft engineering river defences

Flood warnings, afforestation, floodplain zoning, river restoration.

Common Misconception about soft engineering

Soft engineering isn't "weak" — it's sustainable long-term but less visible.

Rising sea levels

Increase coastal erosion and flooding.

Intense rainfall

Increases river flooding risk.

Urbanisation

More impermeable surfaces increase surface runoff, leading to higher flood risk.

Tourism

Increases footpath erosion, dune damage, and litter, but supports local economies.

GIS in coastal studies

Used for mapping erosion rates, land use, flood zones, and management schemes for analysis.

Long profile of a river

A line showing the change in gradient from the river's source to its mouth.