Factors affecting coastal recession and stability

What is coastal recession and what may it be caused by

It’s the retreat of coastline inland

• Erosion, sea level rise

Characteristics of Sedimentary rocks

• Erode the fastest

• Have weak bedding planes

• Have many fractures

Example of sedimentary rock

Sandstone, limestone

Characteristics of metamorphic rocks

• Erode slowly

• Have a crystalline structure

• Are folded and faulted

Example of metamorphic rock

Marble, slate

Characteristics of Igneous rock

• Erode and weather very slowly

• Has fewer joints

What is differential erosion and what does it lead to

Changing rates of erosion of different rock types

• Leads to complex cliff profiles

• Influences rates of recession

How does permeability impact rate of erosion

Permeable rock is vulnerable to mass movement as lubrication of water leads to instability

How does differences in geology affect landforms

• On discordant coastlines, differential erosion leads to headlands and bays

How does vegetation help stabilise coastlines

• Plant roots help bind sand together, reducing impact of erosion

• Wind speeds reduced which decreases erosion

What are pioneer species

First plants to grow in harsh coastal environment, paving way for other plants that are less able to survive

What are Halophytes (pioneer species)

Can tolerate salt water around their roots, being submerged at high tides

What are Xerophytes

• Can tolerate very dry conditions

• On sandunes where sandy soil retains little water

What is succession

Changing structure of plant community as area is colonised by plants

What is psammosere

Succession in a sand environment