geography paper 1 case studys

Fieldwork Title

To what extent is coastal management effective at Walton on the Naze?

Why was your fieldwork question appropriate?

Understand impact of management, assess extent

of coastal erosion,

Fieldwork Enquiry Structure

Introduction, methods, data presentation, data analysis, conclusion, evaluation.

Primary Data Collection Methods

Field sketch, bipolar evaluation, beach/groyne measurements, longshore drift test, cost-benefit analysis, questionnaire.

Bipolar Evaluation Method

Used a template to score features (groynes, sea wall, rock armour, unmanaged) from –3 to +3 on condition/attractiveness; higher = more effective.

Bipolar Evaluation Strengths

Turned opinions into quantitative data for graphs; group scoring reduced bias.

Bipolar Evaluation Weaknesses

Some factors unclear or irrelevant for unmanaged area; scores slightly skewed; better if students created own factors.

Groyne Height Method

Measured beach width, divided into 5 equal intervals, measured sediment height each side of groyne using tape measure.

Groyne Height Findings

N-side had taller groyne and less sediment, showing longshore drift (LSD) from N to S and groynes effectively trapping sand.

Groyne Height Strengths

Measured at 5 points → reliable average; teamwork improved accuracy; quick and simple.

Groyne Height Weaknesses

Only one groyne measured (crowded); lacked pattern comparison; only one tape measure used — harder to divide evenly.

Longshore Drift Method

Used 3 m tape along shore; threw apple in swash zone; timed 3 mins; measured movement; repeated ×3 for mean.

Longshore Drift Findings

Apple moved south, proving LSD direction N→S; supported groyne data that sand trapped effectively.

Longshore Drift Strengths

Direct observation of drift direction; simple equipment; visual evidence.

Longshore Drift Weaknesses

Apple hit rocks → unreliable speed; not repeated enough for anomalies; unsafe in unmanaged area (had to use teacher data).

Field Sketch Method

Drew coastline by hand, labelled and annotated features like groynes and erosion.

Field Sketch Strengths

Helped recall key site details; showed differences between managed and unmanaged zones; useful for comparison.

Field Sketch Weaknesses

Drawing quality varied; subjective; replaced by annotated photos for more accuracy.

Questionnaires

Method of gathering opinions from public on coastal defences; pie charts used for yes/no questions.

Data Presentation Methods

radar graphs (bipolar), annotated photos, pie charts (questionnaire), bar chart (groyne heights).

Conclusions – Effectiveness of Management

Managed areas (sea wall, groynes, rock armour) effective — less erosion and more beach material; unmanaged cliff → visible erosion and slumping.

Conclusions – Class Link

Supports classroom theory that hard engineering reduces erosion; unmanaged cliffs erode faster; LSD evidence matches theory.

Extent of Support (8-mark Q)

Fieldwork mostly supported classroom ideas (e.g. coastal processes, LSD, management success) but limited by small sample and method reliability.

Reliability Improvements – Sampling

Measure more groynes along beach → improves representativeness and reduces anomalies.

Reliability Improvements – Repetition

Repeat longshore drift and height tests multiple times → increases accuracy and reliability.

Reliability Improvements – Equipment

Use two tape measures for spacing accuracy; digital measuring tools for precision.

Reliability Improvements – Understanding

Clarify bipolar criteria beforehand → reduces confusion and subjective scoring.

Reliability Improvements – Safety/Data Coverage

Collect LSD data safely in unmanaged area using floats or secondary sources → complete data comparison.

Overall Evaluation

Methods mostly successful: data clear enough to show LSD and management success, but reliability could improve with more repetition, coverage, and clearer criteria.

typhoon haiyan causes

25.6 degree ocean temp

60 m ocean depth

strong low pressure system- strong wind

corriolis effect makes wind pick up speed and spin

typhoon haiyan consequenses

6300 deaths

670000 made homeless

$2.86 bill in damages

130000 tonnes of rice was destroyed

typhoon haiyan responses

1200 evacuation centers set up for the homeless

uk provided $50 mill in aid

long term-cash for work--paid residents to help rebuild the country

uk heatwave causes

jetstream moved over the uk

high pressure system over the uk-no rainfall

no cool weather

uk heatwave consequences

700 deaths related to the heatwave

spike in a and e admissions due to heat issues

wild fires

domestic tourism took off , 2/3 of the uk on holiday 

uk heatwave responces

hosepipe ban

public heatwave plan by the NHS 

more attention focused on the elderly due to the heat.

turkey-syria earthquake causes

conservative plate boundary

plates move side to side causing pressure

when pressure releced earthquake

turkey and syria are EDC  and LIDC cant afford earthquake

turkey-siria impacts

55000 deaths

130000 injureys

300000 buildings destroyed

2.6 mill people put into tent citys

turkey-siria responses

the un gave $50mill

60 countreys gave 2600 rescue workers

EU pledged $7.5 bill for reconstrucion

jurassic coast headland and bays

bands of rock run purpendicular to the coast

durlston head (limestone)sticks out -more resistant

swanage bay(sandstone/clay)indents the coast-less resistant

jurassic coast crack cave arch stack stump

crack forms in the headland

crack expands due to hydrolic action.creates a cave 

hydraulic action and abrasion erode through the headland making a arch

weathering and gravity causes the arch to collapse leaving a stack (old harry)

stack getts undercut (old harrys wife)

Jurassic coast tolombo

waves are carried at a angle to the coast

carries sediment to the coast (swash)

then due to gravity swash goes back (backswash)

creating a spit 

spit connects to island making tolombo beach

jurassic coast managment

1.8km of sea wall-curved to reflect wave energy

18 timber grynes .£2.2m builds up the beach

beach replenishment-£5m-needs replacment every 5 years