geography fieldwork answers

What is the aim of the physical geography enquiry conducted at Southwold beach?

To investigate how effective the coastal management strategies are at reducing the impacts of longshore drift and erosion.

What advantage does Southwold beach provide for physical fieldwork?

It has a range of different coastal defences, such as groynes and a sea wall, allowing for comparison between protected and unprotected areas.

What human geographical change is Southwold experiencing?

An increase in second-home ownership and tourism, influencing social and economic changes such as rising house prices.

What method was used to measure the effectiveness of coastal management in Southwold?

Height measurements of sand on both sides of groynes to see if sediment builds up as expected.

What is one disadvantage of using Southwold beach for fieldwork?

The beach profile changes throughout the year, which may not reflect conditions accurately on other days.

How did the students ensure safety while conducting fieldwork at Southwold beach?

By staying well back from the waterline, working in supervised groups, and collecting data only in safe, shallow areas.

What data was collected to assess social and economic change in Southwold?

Data on second-home percentages, types of shops and services, parked vehicle tallies, and advertised house prices.

What sampling technique was used in the physical geography study at Southwold?

Systematic sampling was used to select 3 places to record the height of the beach around groynes.

What potential risk was identified during the human geography fieldwork?

The risk of students getting lost while collecting data on shops and services.

How was the risk of students getting lost during the human geography fieldwork reduced?

By having students work in pairs, follow a set route, and check in regularly with the teacher.

What issue did students face when measuring distance with the apple drift test?

Waves and wind affected the apple's movement, making it hard to measure the exact distance travelled.

What was the scoring system used in the Property Quality Survey?

A scoring scale from 1 to 5 to assess the quality of houses.

What limitation affected the accuracy of the shops and services tally?

The scoring was subjective, leading to potential bias in results.

What was the most effective method of data collection in the physical geography enquiry?

The sand height measurement method, as it provided precise quantitative data directly linked to longshore drift.