iGCSE Geography Coastal Environments PDF

What You’ll Learn in iGCSE Geography: Coastal Environments Key Ideas & Content 2.1 How Coasts Are Shaped by Nature and People a) Forces that Shape the Coast The coast is constantly changing due to natural processes like: ○ Waves moving sand and rocks (called erosion, depos...

What You’ll Learn in iGCSE Geography: Coastal Environments Key Ideas & Content 2.1 How Coasts Are Shaped by Nature and People a) Forces that Shape the Coast The coast is constantly changing due to natural processes like: ○ Waves moving sand and rocks (called erosion, deposition, and transport) ○ Weathering when rocks break down from things like wind, water, plants, and animals ○ Mass movement like landslides or slumping, where parts of cliffs or slopes fall down b) What Affects Coastal Environments The shape and look of the coast depend on: ○ Type of rocks (geology) ○ Plants and trees growing nearby ○ Human activities ○ Changes in sea level over time c) Different Landforms Made by the Sea Natural processes like erosion and deposition create features along the coast, including: ○ Headlands and bays ○ Cliffs and wave-cut platforms (flat areas left behind by waves) ○ Caves, arches, stacks, and stumps (rock formations made by waves) ○ Beaches, spits, and bars (sand or gravel features built up by waves) 2.2 Unique Ecosystems Along Coasts a) Different Types of Coastal Ecosystems Coastlines around the world have special ecosystems like: ○ Coral reefs ○ Mangroves (trees that grow in salty water) ○ Sand dunes ○ Salt marshes b) Characteristics of a Coastal Ecosystem Each coastal ecosystem has unique features, including both non-living things (like sand and water) and living things (like plants and animals). c) How People Impact Coastal Ecosystems Coastal ecosystems can be damaged by human actions, such as: ○ Building factories ○ Farming practices ○ Tourism activities ○ Cutting down trees (deforestation) Learning About Coastal Management: Protecting Coasts in Different Countries Key Ideas & Content Case Studies: Coastal Management Around the World You’ll study examples of how coasts are managed in two countries—one that’s more developed and one that’s less developed or still growing. 2.3 Why Coasts Are Important and Need Protection a) Conflicts Over How to Manage the Coast Different groups use the coast for different reasons, and sometimes they disagree about what’s best. Some people want to conserve (protect) the coast, while others want to develop it (build on it or use it for industry). b) Causes and Solutions for Coastal Flooding Coastal flooding happens for different reasons, like: ○ Storm surges (big waves from strong storms) ○ Tsunamis (huge waves caused by underwater earthquakes) ○ Climate change (rising sea levels) To reduce the impact of floods, people use methods like: ○ Forecasting (predicting when floods might happen) ○ Designing buildings to resist floods ○ Planning and educating people about how to stay safe c) Ways to Protect the Coast People use different methods to manage and protect coastlines, which include: ○ Soft engineering (working with nature): Beach replenishment – adding more sand to beaches Cliff regrading – reshaping cliffs to make them more stable Ecosystem rehabilitation and revegetation – helping plants and animals thrive Managed retreat – letting some areas naturally flood ○ Hard engineering (building structures): Groynes – barriers to trap sand Revetments and sea walls – structures to block waves Gabions and riprap – rocks or cages filled with stones to protect the shore ○ Shoreline management plans – deciding on the best way to manage specific areas of coast for the long term.