landforms of depositon

Beaches

• formed in sheltered areas like bays

• Where sediment accumulates

Spits

• extend from the coastline into the sea where the coast changes direction

Example of a spit

Spurn head spit

Tombolos

• connect an island to the mainland

• Found in areas with strong currents

• Sediment is deposited when long sore drift loses energy in deeper water

Bars

• long ridges of sand or shingle that cut off a bay or connect headlands

Sand dunes

• plenty of dry sand on a wide flat beach

• Strong onshore winds to transport sand

• Deposited sand builds up over time forming a ridge - heavier grains settle first

• Pioneer plant species like marram grass - help stabilise the sand and allow growth of other plants

Conditions needed for formation of Salt marshes

• a seashore with very little wave action

• Fine material falls out of suspension

• Clay particles are very small - may stick together

• Shelter from exposure

• A source of mud

Salt marsh: pioneer/ slob zone

• pioneer species begin to colonise surface of the mud

• Bind together the mud

Salt marshes: lower Seward

• covered by high tides for certain periods

• Less inundated

• Greater diversity in vegetation which can be less salt tolerant - EG glasswort

Salt marsh: upper Sward

• When the salt marsh rises above sea level

• Only covered by spring tides

• Less salt tolerant plants

Salt marshes: climatic climax community

• when there is no further flooding

• The climatic climax vegetation is deciduous woodland

Salt marsh: example

Essex - black water estuary

• sea wall removed allowing the sea to reclaim former marshland, creating new natural protection

Functions of a coastal zone

• agriculture and forestry

• Fisheries

• Tourism

• Ships and ports

• Industry transport and energy

• Nature conservation

Halosere example: spurn point

• spurn head spit

• Deposition behind the spit allowed formation of mud flats

• Cordgrass was the pioneer plant