Coastal Systems and Landscapes

These flashcards cover key concepts in coastal systems and landscapes, including processes, types of waves, coastal erosion, vegetation roles, and coastal management strategies.

What type of system can the coast be considered as?

An open system that receives inputs and transfers outputs.

What is dynamic equilibrium in a sediment cell?

The maintenance of balance in sediment flow despite constant change.

List the three main areas of coastal inputs.

Marine (Waves, Tides, Salt Spray), Atmosphere (Sun, Air Pressure, Wind), Humans (Pollution, Recreation, Settlement).

What process describes the movement of sand along the beach?

Longshore drift.

Define 'negative feedback loop' in the context of coastal systems.

A mechanism that balances changes and restores dynamic equilibrium.

What is a storm surge?

A rise in sea level due to low pressure created by weather events, posing flooding risks.

What are the four types of mass movement?

Creeps, flows, slides, and falls.

What is the difference between rip currents and riptides?

Rip currents are powerful underwater currents near the shore, while riptides occur when ocean tide pulls water through narrow areas like bays.

Describe a constructive wave.

Waves that deposit material, creating depositional landforms, with a low height and strong swash.

What is the purpose of sediment budgets?

To assess the gains and losses of sediment within a sediment cell, aiming for dynamic equilibrium.

What are groynes used for in coastal management?

To trap sediment from longshore drift, building up beaches and protecting cliffs.

What is the role of vegetation in coastal environments?

Stabilizes coastal sediment, reducing erosion through root binding and providing protection.

How do high-energy coastlines differ from low-energy coastlines?

High-energy coastlines have powerful waves and are often rocky, leading to erosion; low-energy coastlines are sandy with constructive waves leading to deposition.

Explain isostatic change in sea levels.

Localized change when land rises or falls relative to the sea, often due to glacial activity.

What is the significance of Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs)?

SMPs guide coastline management strategies for different sediment cells in the UK.

List the types of erosion processes mentioned.

Hydraulic Action, Corrosion (Solution), Abrasion, Corrasion, Attrition, Wave Quarrying.

What is the role of pioneer plants in dune succession?

They bind sand together, stabilizing the dunes and enabling other plant species to thrive.

What is 'eustatic change' and how does it affect sea levels?

A global sea level change due to thermal expansion or glacial melting, affecting coastlines worldwide.

How does a storm surge increase flood risk?

It raises sea levels during weather events, potentially overwhelming flood defenses.