Coastal Environments Overview

Coastal Environments: Key Ideas

• Forces shaping coasts: Coasts change due to natural processes like waves (erosion, deposition, transport), weathering, and mass movement (landslides).

• Factors affecting coastal environments: The shape and look of a coast depend on rock type, plant and tree growth near the coast, and human activities. Changes in sea level also affect coastlines.

• Sea-made landforms: Natural processes create various coastal features, including headlands, bays, cliffs, wave-cut platforms, caves, arches, stacks, stumps, beaches, spits, and bars.

Coastal Ecosystems

• Types of coastal ecosystems: Coastal areas have unique ecosystems like coral reefs, sand dunes, salt marshes, and mangroves.

• Characteristics of coastal ecosystems: Each ecosystem has its own mix of non-living (e.g., sand, water) and living things (e.g., plants, animals).

• Human impacts on coastal ecosystems: Human activities like building, farming, tourism, and deforestation can damage coastal ecosystems.

Coastal Management

• Conflicts over coast management: Different groups have different needs and use of the coast, leading to conflicts (conservation vs. development).

• Coastal flooding causes: Flooding can be caused by storm surges, tsunamis, or rising sea levels (climate change).

• Coastal flooding solutions: Methods used to mitigate this including forecasting, building design, and educating communities.

• Ways to protect coasts: Soft engineering involves working with nature (beach nourishment, cliff regrading, ecosystem rehabilitation). Hard engineering involves building structures (groynes, revetments, sea walls). Management plans consider the best approach for specific coastal areas.