coast case studies

Question 1

5 distinctive landforms at Holderness

Answer 1

• headlands: Flamborough head-stacks, caves, arches, wave cut platforms
• beaches: south Flamborough head
• sand dunes: around spurn head
• slumping cliffs; around Atwick Sands
• spit: Spurn head at Humber estuary

Question 2

7 characteristics of the Sundarbans region

Answer 2

-located in southwest Bangladesh and east India on the bay of Bengal

• part of the largest mangrove forest in the world
• UNESCO World Heritage Natural Site
• flat and low-lying
• intersected by many channels with sandy islands
• home to rare species: Irrawaddy dolphin
• a coastal system in dynamic equilibrium as material is deposited allowing the mangroves to grow and it is also eroded by the sea causing the sediment store to remain roughly constant
• home to 4 million

Question 3

4 opportunities in the sundarbans

Answer 3

-natural products: fertile land ideal for crops, rice
rich ecosystem-nipa palm leaves, crabs, honey, fish
timber for construction

-services; natural defences against flooding
mangroves absorb access and acts as a barrier against rough sea

-development; tourism-wildlife
since 2011 cargo ships transporting goods have been using the waterways

-powerplant to provide energy for those in the region

Question 4

6 risks in the sundarbans

Answer 4

• lack of fresh water
• growing population=growing demands for food, space
• flooding leads to salinization making it harder to grow crops
• home to dangerous animals-tigers, sharks, crocodiles
• lack of employment and income opportunities
• access is difficult

Question 5

5 developments in the Sundarbans which are reducing risks

Answer 5

• public health engineering department is increasing access to clean water-improve quality of life/health
• better roads and bridges to improve access-this can cause deforestation
• mains electricity extended to more areas and increasing the use of solar panels- improves flood warnings
• increase food security - Rural Initiatives and Participatory Agricultural Transformation” (RIPAT) concept by SUG - seniors without borders

-NGOS offer training of sustainable hunting and farming
SUG:
1) Group formation/management;
2) Capacity building in development methods of food production;
3) Training in conducting relevant advocacy, both technically and politically.

Question 6

3 ways people are mitigating against risks in the Sundarbans

Answer 6

-3500km of embankments built to prevent flooding-they are gradually eroded

• projects to protect the mangroves- hard to stop illegal deforestation
• Management of the Sundarbans Mangrove Forests for Biodiversity Conservation and Increased Adaptation to Climate Change project
• The Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project is working in West Bengal to protect the coastline from erosion and pollution while improving coastal residents’ livelihoods.(WHO)

-funding for cyclone shelters and early warning systems- people may not have transport to evacuate

Question 7

4 ways people adapt to the risks in the Sundarbans

Answer 7

• salt resistant rice grown to withstand floods-the sole use of these crops reduces biodiversity and increases pest vulnerability
• projects to increase tourism to provide jobs and income- if not managed properly this can cause environmental damage
• building houses on stilts
• sustainable adaptions- promoting ecotourism and non intensive farming practices to keep the area useable for future generations