Why are coastal systems described as an ‘open system’
Because they have both inputs and outputs
(Energy and sediment)
Examples of inputs of coastal systems
Energy: Wave energy, Tide energy, Wind energy
Sediment: Geology of coastline, Long shore drift, Sediment
Examples of stores (landscapes)
Erosional landforms (cliffs)
Depositional landforms (bars)
Examples of flows and transfers (processes)
Long shore drift
Transportation
Mass movement
Erosion
Examples of outputs in coastal systems
Dissipation of wave energy
(Loss of wave energy)
Negative feedback
Something that causes equilibrium ( balance)
Examples of negative feedback in coastal systems
Beach in dynamic equilibrium (not growing or shrinking)-> beach is eroded by destructive waves during a storm -> sediment is deposited (causing bar) -> waves shrink as it looses energy (becoming constructive waves) -> sediment is pushed back onto beach -> beach is in equilibrium 🔄
