Coasts- Hazards+ Opportunities

Coastal Hazards & Opportunities

Specification Link

  • This topic covers sections 2.3.1 and 2.3.2 of the CIE IGCSE Geography specification.

2.3.1 - The Opportunities of Living Near the Coast

  • Coastal areas are hubs for trade, tourism, fishing, aquaculture, industry, and recreation.

  • They provide avenues for development, including residential and commercial constructions, as well as nature reserves.

  • Economic growth and development are stimulated in coastal regions.

Coastal Areas Opportunities

  1. Trade Ports    - Serve as crucial links in global trade, pivotal for connectivity.    - Example: Port of Singapore, a critical global supply chain hub, connects 600 ports worldwide.    - Significance of ports in job creation and economic growth.    - Port Jebel Ali (UAE): The largest port in the Middle East, known for high capacity and efficiency.    - Port of Shanghai (Yangtze Delta, China): The world's busiest port with specialized infrastructure.

  2. Tourism    - Coastal attractions drive local economies, bolstering related industries.    - Popular destinations include:      - Philippine beaches,      - French Riviera,      - Italian coastline,      - Hawaiian islands.    - Touristic coastal locations include: Australia, South Africa, Thailand, and Spain.

  3. Fishing and Aquaculture    - Coastal waters are vital for fishing and aquaculture, enhancing food security and economic opportunity.    - Vigo Port, Spain: Handles nearly 1 million tonnes of fish annually, compliant with efficient processing standards.

  4. Agriculture    - Deltas and floodplains along coasts provide fertile land and milder climates, fostering agriculture.    - Example: Batinah Plains in Oman, principal agricultural producer leveraging fertile soils and water resources.

  5. Industry    - Industries centered in coastal areas have easy access to resources and markets.    - North Sea region: Heavy industrialization with ports like Rotterdam and Hamburg.

  6. Urbanization and Development    - Coastal regions often experience high urban density, leading to infrastructural development.    - East and Southeast Asia have the highest concentration of coastal megacities.

  7. Natural Resources    - Coastal areas contain rich deposits of minerals, oil, and gas, supporting employment and economic growth.    - Port of Rotterdam functions as a significant node for transporting natural resources.

  8. Recreation and Leisure    - Opportunities for recreational activities such as swimming and boating generate revenue.    - Notable locations include Busan, South Korea, recognized for leisure activities and festivals.

  9. Nature Reserves    - Many coastal regions serve as protected habitats, promoting biodiversity.    - Example: Galapagos Marine Reserve, housing unique ecosystems.

2.3.2 - The Hazards of Living Near the Coast

  • Coastal hazards arise from natural and human-induced activities.

Natural Coastal Hazards

  • Types: Storms, flooding, tsunamis.

  1. Storm Surges    - Caused by low-pressure storms, resulting in rapid sea level rise.

  2. Storm Tides    - Arise from high tide combined with low pressure.

  3. Tsunamis    - Generated by underwater earthquakes; proximity to coast relates to impact severity.

  4. King Tides: Significantly high tides.

  5. Sea Level Rise: Triggered by climate change.

  6. High River Discharge: Coupled with spring tides can trap water in estuaries, causing flooding.

Human-Induced Coastal Hazards

  • Urbanization and Transport:    - Changes in land use (ports, harbors) and increased congestion lead to various negative environmental impacts such as:      - Loss of species,      - Pollution,      - Eutrophication.

  • Agricultural Practices:    - Land reclamation, fertilizer use, and water abstraction adversely affect biodiversity and induce pollution.

  • Fisheries and Aquaculture:    - Overfishing, pollution from fish farms, and habitat damage lead to ecological degradation.

  • Industry:    - Industrial development can cause habitat loss and pollution.

  • Tourism and Recreation:    - Environmental pressures from extensive development discourage native species and degrade natural beauty.

Ethical, Philosophical, and Practical Implications

  • Risks in Coastal Areas: Dangers due to coastal hazards can jeopardize livelihoods, health, and transportation.

  • Economic Burden on Communities: Mismatch in financial capacities of High Income Countries (HICs) vs. Middle and Low Income Countries (MICs and LICs) in handling these hazards.

Case Study: Nassau County, Florida

Causes of Coastal Erosion

  • Geography: Northeast Florida along the Atlantic Ocean, including tourist-favored Amelia Island.

  • Tropical Storms and Hurricanes:   - Key culprits include Hurricane Matthew (2016) and Hurricane Irma (2017) which produce storm surges that erode coastlines.

  • Sea Level Rise:   - Observed rise of approximately 8 inches (20 cm) since 1950 exacerbates flooding.

  • Human Activities:   - Construction activities disrupt natural processes, contribute to erosion by reducing vegetative protection.

Impacts of Coastal Erosion

  • Property Damage: Increased risk to homes leading to rising insurance costs.

  • Tourism Decline: Reducing beach size impacts local tourist economies.

  • Infrastructure Damage: Roads and utilities threatened by erosion, necessitating frequent repairs.

  • Ecological Consequences: Habitat loss for crucial species like sea turtles and migratory birds.

  • Increased Flood Risk: Vulnerability to storm surges exacerbated by eroded beaches.

Management and Mitigation Strategies

  • Balancing Development: Over $20 million spent on erosion control and restoration over the past decade.

  • Soft Engineering:   - Dune restoration and beach replenishment projects.

  • Hard Engineering:   - Implementation of seawalls and revetments to protect vulnerable infrastructures.