Intentional human activity case study

Question 1

Location

Answer 1

South coast of England, Dorset
Sandbanks peninsula seperates Poole harbour from Poole bay

Question 2

Conditions of the sandbanks

Answer 2

Soft sandstone cliffs- vulnerable to erosion
Large fetch- powerful waves

Question 3

Why do the sandbanks need protecting?

Answer 3

High value commercial properties
Sandbanks hotel and Haven hotel
Employment opportunities
Good for local economy
Detached housing: £10m
Luxury apartments: £2m

Provides protection and shelter from waves for Poole harbour
Major tourist attraction- Blue flag award
£18m of damage to residential properties in the next 20 years

Question 4

How is it being managed?

Answer 4

Poole harbour comissioners, Poole borough council and Environmental agency

Question 5

Hard management

Answer 5

Rock Groynes- Minimises movement of sediment via LSD
Rates of erosion without them would be 1.6m per year
Absorbs wave energy

Question 6

Soft management

Answer 6

Beach recharge
Conserves the beaches
Sand is dredged from an offshore zone and sprayed onto the beaches
£20/m3
3.5 mill m3 of sediment has been added to Poole bay beaches

Question 7

Alternatives to soft management

Answer 7

Dumping sediment just offshore is cheaper (£3/m3)
Natural currents will eventually transport sand onshore to build up beaches