2.11.A Soft engineering

Question 1

soft engineering

Answer 1

work with natural processing in the coastal system in order to manage erosion

Question 2

beach nourishment

Answer 2

the addition of sand or pebbles to an existing beach to make it higher or wider

Question 3

PROS of beach nourishment

Answer 3

looks natural and blends in with the existing beach
replaces sediment lost by erosion

enlarges the beach so that it dissipates wave energy and reduces wave erosion

Question 4

CONS of beach nourishment

Answer 4

costs about £10 per m^3

doesn’t last long esp. under winter storm conditions –> repeated frequently

Question 5

dune stabalisation

Answer 5

dunes can provide a natural barrier to sea level rise and storm waves but are at risk of storms, trampling, overgrazing etc.

marram grass can be planted to stabilise dunes

Question 6

PROS of dune stabalisation

Answer 6

maintains a natural coastal environment

provides important wildlife habitats

relatively cheap and sustainable

Question 7

CONS pf dune stabalisation

Answer 7

time-consuming to plant marram grass

powerful storms may ensure that this approach only works for a short period of time

Question 8

managed retreat

Answer 8

a SMP
certain areas of the coasts are allowed to erode and flood naturally

Question 9

PROS of managed retreat

Answer 9

low cost

encourages the development of salt marches

Question 10

CONS of managed retreat

Answer 10

comprensation for those to loose propterty

Question 11

cliff regrading and drainage

Answer 11

the restructuring of a cliff face to reduce steepness and instability

drainage removes water to prevent landslides and slumping

Question 12

PROS of cliff regrading and drainage

Answer 12

reduces mass movement

should remain stable if the base of the cliff is protected by marine erosion

Question 13

CONS of cliff regrading and drainage

Answer 13

cliff regrading costs about £1 million

drained cliffs can dry out and lead to collapse (rock falls)