Human Interaction With Coastal Environments

Flashcards about human interaction with coastal environments

What is causing coastal erosion to become a growing issue?

Rising sea levels, increasing storm frequency, and higher wave energy.

How do human activities contribute to coastal erosion?

Human activities disrupt natural processes like longshore drift through sand removal, dredging, and land reclamation for building coastal defenses.

What are the effects of disrupting natural deposition processes, such as land reclamation and harbor construction, on coastlines?

Reduce beach size, weaken natural coastal defenses, and lead to property and infrastructure damage.

Why were groynes built to protect Rosslare Strand?

To slow longshore drift and trap sediment on the updrift side, widening the beach.

What is beach nourishment?

Adding sand to beaches to combat erosion.

What are the advantages of beach nourishment?

Restores and widens beaches, protecting infrastructure and property, and alters wave dynamics.

What are the disadvantages of beach nourishment?

Artificially added sand erodes faster, it's costly and temporary, and it disrupts local ecosystems.

What are groynes?

Concrete or wooden walls built perpendicular to the sea to trap sediment on the updrift side.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Groynes?

They build up beaches in specific areas but starve downdrift areas of sediment.

What is rock armour?

Large boulders placed at the base of cliffs or dunes to absorb wave energy and reduce erosion.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of rock armour?

Effective at protecting cliffs and dunes, but can be visually intrusive and expensive.

What are sea walls?

Sloped or curved walls built to protect coastal towns, deflecting wave energy and reducing erosion.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of sea walls?

Strong protection for urban areas, but expensive and can cause erosion at the base of the wall.

What are breakwaters?

Structures made of rock and rubble built offshore to reduce wave energy.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of breakwaters?

Calm waters behind the breakwater encourage deposition, but they can disrupt marine ecosystems and sediment flow.

What are Gabions?

Wire cages filled with stones, placed in front of dunes or beaches to absorb wave energy.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Gabions?

Affordable and effective for short-term protection, but prone to corrosion and require regular maintenance.

Describe Lahinch Co. Clare's erosion management case study:

Using screens and fences to trap windblown sand and form new dunes.

What strategies can be used to protect sand dunes?

Encourage visitors to use designated pathways, prevent uprooting plants, replant marram grass, and ban damaging activities.

What efforts are being made at Curracloe Beach to protect sand dunes?

Planting grass and shrubs, and installing timber pathways.

What should conservation efforts focus on regarding coastal wildlife habitats?

Minimize human impact, preserve vegetation, and manage tourism and development.