Assignment: Coastal management • Explain what is coastal management • Discuss the types of coastal management and when they are used • The pros and cons of the types of coastal management Word limit is 2500 including references. Why is it important to defend the coast? Coastlines today, tend to be very heavily populated areas that are of high economic value due to tourism as well as key access point to ocean fisheries resources and sea transport routes. However, coastlines are particularly prone to flooding, whereby these fragile ecosystems take a long time to recover if they are degraded or destroyed. What is Coastal Management? Coastal management refers to any activity taking place in or along the coastal zone, which has a defined …show more content…
Hard construction techniques can be seen as a traditional response to erosion that involves the construction of structures which defend against the erosive power of waves by stopping wave energy reaching the shore, or absorb and reflect that energy. However, this approach causes problems, whereby theses techniques tend to increase erosion in other places further down the coast, and thereby resulted in soft construction techniques becoming more popular because of this. On the other hand, soft construction techniques involves stimulating natural systems such as beaches and salt marshes which in turn protect the coast, and are relatively cheaper to construct and maintain than hard construction techniques, and at the same time be self-sustaining. (Coastalwiki …show more content…
Off shore dredging of sand and shingle in adjacent areas increases erosion in other areas and significantly affects the ecosystem in the dredging area. Large storms easily degrade beach replenishment inputs, thus increasing costs. £20.000 per cubic meter Managed retreat In areas where Managed retreat is permitted, it retains the natural balance of the coastal system. The eroded material promotes the development of beaches and salt marshes in specified areas. Many people lose their livelihood, for e.g. farmers. These people will need to be compensated, which is usually costly. The cost depends on amount of compensation to be paid to the local people affected by erosion. Land Management Maintenance of sand dunes provide a natural defence against the sea. Requires, oversight which may carry significant expenses £1.1 million per annum Marshland Creation Self sustaining, no need for human input, created micro ecosystems No notable disadvantages. £5,000-£20,000 per