Traditional Approaches to Coastal Management

What is hard engineering in coastal management?

the use of man-made structures to protect the coast from erosion and flooding

What is the main purpose of a sea wall?

reflect wave energy and prevent coastal erosion of cliffs and settlements

What is the difference between a curved sea wall and a vertical sea wall?

the curved shape of a curved sea wall deflects wave energy more efficiently, reducing overtopping

What problem can occur at the base of a sea wall?

scouring where waves remove sediment leading to undermining of the wall

What are groynes?

timber or rock barriers built at right angles to the coast to trap sediment and reduce longshore drift

How do groynes maintain beach width?

trapping sediment moving along the coast, preventing loss down-drift

What effect can groynes have on adjacent areas?

groynes can starve beaches further along the coast of sediment, increasing erosion there

What is rock armour?

large boulders placed at the base of cliffs or along beaches to absorb wave energy

Why is rock armour sometimes preferred over, for example, a sea wall?

• cheaper

• easier to maintain

• more natural looking

What are revetments?

sloping structures placed on beaches or cliffs to absorb wave energy and reduce erosion

What is the difference between revetments and sea walls?

revetments absorb wave energy while sea walls reflect it

What are offshore breakwaters?

barriers built parallel to the coast to reduce wave energy before it reaches the shore

How do offshore breakwaters encourage sediment deposition?

reducing wave energy, causing sediment to accumulate behind the structure

What are the advantages of hard engineering?

• immediate protection

• effective against high-energy waves

• predictable outcomes

What are the disadvantages of hard engineering?

• expensive

• visually intrusive

• can increase erosion elsewhere along the coast

What is soft engineering in coastal management?

the use of sustainable or natural approaches to manage coasts with minimal environmental impact

What is beach nourishment?

adding sand or shingle to a beach to replace lost sediment and absorb wave energy

What is dune regeneration?

stabilising and planting vegetation on sand dunes to reduce wind and wave erosion

What is managed retreat?

allowing certain areas of the coast to flood naturally to reduce pressure elsewhere

What is marsh creation?

building or restoring salt marshes to act as natural buffers against wave energy

What are the advantages of soft engineering?

• cheaper than hard engineering

• more sustainable

• environmentally friendly

• maintains natural appearance

What are the disadvantages of soft engineering?

• less immediate protection

• requires ongoing maintenance

• less predictable outcomes