Geography Paper 3 Fieldwork Answers

Outline the purpose of this fieldwork investigation (3)

• to examine the coastal processes operating at Reculver

• to assess the effectiveness of various coastal management strategies implemented in this area

• by comparing sites with differing management approaches to understand deposition and overall shoreline stability

Explain why your chosen location was suitable (4)

• Reculver is a small coastal destination that has a number of coastal defences, it is relatively local, meaning we could collect sufficient data from a number of sites on the same day, improving the reliability of the data

• Herne Bay is a small coastal tourist destination that is relatively local, meaning we could collect sufficient data from a number of sites on the same day to improve the reliability of our data

Describe the geographical concept that forms the basis of this fieldwork investigation

• Reculver: investigation is grounded in the concept of coastal geomorphology, which explores the formation and evolution of coastal landforms due to dynamic intera tions between marine and terrestrial processes such as erosion making cliffs, transportation and deposition making beaches. Understanding these processes is crucial for effective coastal management, especially in areas facing significant erosion or human development pressures

• Herne Bay: investigation is based on the concept of tourism geography, which examines how and why people travel to different locations for leisure. It also links to urban geography, as tourism impacts local businesses, land use and infrastructure. Concepts such as sphere of influence, accessibility and seasonal variation are key to understanding Herne Bay’s tourism appeal.

Describe the data collection methods used for your physical enquiry

• beach profiling - measurements of the beach’s gradient taken at regular intervals between managed and unmanaged sites

• photographs and field sketches

• land use survey

• bi-polar survey - range of criteria such as aesthetics and effectiveness

Describe the data collection methods used for your human enquiry

• Pedestrian and traffic counts, at different times of the day, at key locations

• Questionnaires - surveys with tourists and local businesses

• Environmental Quality Survey - cleanliness, attractiveness, facilities, maintenance

• Land Use Survey - mapping the proportion of the town dedicated to tourism

• Photographic evidence - supports findings

Identify the risks from your physical enquiry

• trip hazards due to the rocks and uneven terrain, rocks and seaweed were slippery - wore sensible shoes to avoid slipping

• Sea could be rough - did not go close to the sea to collect data, at least a metre away

• Cliffs at the back of the beach could fall - did not collect data close to the cliffs