Case Study: How is the Holderness Coast an example of a multi-use area?

Definition: A multi use area is a part of the coastline which offers a range of social, economicand environmental activities.

Easington Gas Terminal – provides 1000 jobs and 25% of UKs gas supply.

Humber Estuary: off-shore & on-shore wind turbines use strong winds to generate renewable electricity.

Bridlington – provides retirement homes with sea side views.

Human Activities Economic Activities

• Improved Transport• Rising living standards• Range of jobs (e.g. Easington for

industry, Bridlington for tourism).• Tourism (scenery and wildlife) (e.g

Flamborough Head and Spurn Head)• Attractive place to live (e.g.

Bridlington – views of the sea)• Second homes/retirement (e.g.

Bridlington)

• Improved Transport and Communication

• Available space (e.g. Hull for development of industry and housing)

• Large workforce (e.g. Hull which employs 5000 people in its dockland)

• Natural Resources (e.g. fish in Hull, gas in North Sea piped to Easington)

• Tourism (e.g. Hornsea, Bridlington, Various caravan and camping sites along the coastline)

Case Study: Why has the Holderness Coastline developed?

Hull – Every year, 13 million tonnes of imported cargo pass through the port which employs 5000 people. Fishing industry lands fish at Hull docks.

Flamborough Head – stunning scenery and birds attracts tourists to visit.

Holderness Country Park – provides tourists with a large fishing lake and a dog walking area. Guests can stay in either log cabins or caravans.

The Coastal EnvironmentAQA B Geography

Revision Guide

How is development along the coast

damaging the local environment?

Cliff top developments have made the cliffs unstable which has increased rates of erosion.

Some animals and birds have choked on litter on beaches from tourists.

Industrial units and factories have polluted the sea causing death of aquatic life and thus disrupting food chains.

Coral reefs (e.g. St Lucia) are being damaged from tourists collecting souvenirs and anchors from fishing vessels.

Protection Scheme How does it protect the coastline?

Heritage Coast atFlamborough Head

-Encourages the use of public transport which reduces cars, congestion, noise and air pollution- farmers receive extra money through grants if they farm in a way that protects the environment and wildlife biodiversity (range of species)- footpath erosion is reduced by encouraging people to stay on paths through signage

Yorkshire WildlifeTrust at Spurn and Flamborough Head

-Organises seasonal beach cleans at two locations. All rubbish is separated out and recycled where possible which promotes sustainability-Helps to prevent millions of marine animals, birds, turtles and fish dying each year as a result of entanglement or eating litter floating around in the sea or beach.-Keeps beaches tidy which encourages tourists back into the area.

Greenbelts around Bridlington and Hull

-they have prevented new houses and industries from being built land ideal for farming land.-fewer development on cliff-faces has reduced the pressure on cliffs making them more resistant to erosion and weathering.-stopped woodlands and hedges being removed allowing for ecosystems to continue to flourish.

Marine Conservation Sites (MCS)

-The MCS has helped reduced overfishing to protect fish stock numbers from further declining. In the future, it is hoped that fish populations will increase.-The MCS also prevents sand dredging of the sea bed which can damage nesting sites of many fish.

Case Study: How is the Holderness Coastline protected?

Conflicts of Interest : Different coastal users who make problems for each other.

•Oil refineries of S. Humber pollute water for local fishermen.

•Ships coming up R. Humber cause danger for tourist wind-surfers & jet skiers

•Wind turbines at Easington can kill migrating birds using Spurn for migration.

How is development impacting the environment?

Sea defences along the Holderness Coastline have stopped the movement of sediment to Spurn Head, an important habitat for numerous rare birds .

Footpath erosion at Flamborough Head due to high tourist numbers.

Diesel/oil spillage from the tankers may affect marine life; noise from tankers

What are the types of erosion and weathering?

What are the differences between constructive and destructive waves?

Constructive Waves Destructive Waves

Strong Swash, Weak Backwash Weak Swash, Strong Backwash

Deposits rather than erode Erodes rather than deposits

Low wave height (less than 1 metre) High wave height (more than 1 metre)

Low wave frequency High wave frequency.

Swash is the movement of water up the

beach

Backwash in the movement

of water down a beach

What determines the strength of a wave?- Strength of the wind- How long the wind has been blowing- The distance between the ocean the wave has

crossed (fetch)

Key Terms:Erosion – the wearing away of rocks by the action of the sea and their removalWeathering – the breaking up of rocks in situ by the action of the weather, chemicals and biology.

Erosion Weathering

AttritionEnergy from breaking waves causes rocks and pebbles to smash into each other They eventually break down into smaller and rounder pieces

AbrasionMaterials, like boulders, pebbles and sand are hurled against the cliff by breaking waves. This causes undercutting and the breaking up of rocks.

Hydraulic ActionWater is thrown into cracks within the cliff by breaking waves. Air inside the cracks is squashed by the water and the pressure inside increasesWhen the wave sinks back, the pressurised air expands explosively. This causes the rocks to shatter so the cracks slowly become bigger and deeper.

Wetting/dryingConstant wetting and drying causes rocks to expand and contract, resulting in surface cracks and weakening of the rock.

Freeze thaw WeatheringWater gets into cracks in rocks and expands as it freezes, putting pressure on the surrounding rock.

CorrosionCarbon Dioxide dissolves in rainwater, producing acid rain. This reacts with minerals inside certain rocks (e.g. limestone), causing them to be weakened and easily dissolved.

Erosion on Hard Coastlines

1) A cave is formed when hydraulic

action widens the joints in the rock

over time.

2) An arch is formed when hydraulic action

and abrasion continue to erode the backwall of a

cave all the way through the headland.

3)A stack is formed when the roof of the arch is weathered by freeze thaw action. This weakens it causing to collapse as a rock fall due to gravity.

4) Overtime, the base of the stack is eroded by abrasionwhich then topples over in a storm to form a stump.

Headland

How are cave, arches and stacks formed?

How are headlands and bays formed?

How are wave cut notches and platforms formed?

1) Hard (e.g. chalk) and soft rock (e.g. boulder clay) are at right angles to the coastline.

2) Soft rock is eroded at a faster rate by hydraulic action and abrasion.

3) Over time, a bay is formed within the soft rock. The shape of the coastline reduces the energy forming constructive waves. This allows beaches to form.

4) As the headland juts out to sea, it receives the full force of the waves energy. This allows the headland to be eroded slowly over time.

1) Erosion from the sea (i.e. abrasion

and hydraulic action) start to

undercut the cliff base.

.

2) The top of the cliff is weakened by freeze thaw weathering.

3) This wave cut notch increases in size until the weight of the cliff can no longer be supported.

4) Cliff collapses due to gravity as a rockfall.

5) The cliff slowly retreats back leaving a wave cut platform behind.

Erosion on Hard Coastlines

Erosion on Soft Coastlines

Process:Slumping is a rapid movement of boulder clay that occurs on a curved slip plane.

It happens when water percolates (soaks into) into the boulder clay until it becomes saturated with water making it heavy. The weight of the cliff above it forces the rock down towards the sea as a mud flow.

Landforms:A step like cliff face is present after the slumping has occurred. Vegetation (originally from the cliff top) will also be present in patches on the cliff face.

Process:Freeze thaw weathering is when water enters cracks between rocks and freezes. This causes the water to expand which puts pressure on the surrounding rocks. Over time, it weakens the rock causing it to break up. This causes rock to fall from the cliff face due to gravity as a rockfall.

LandformsA scree slope of fallen rock is formed at the bottom of the cliff face.

How do rockfalls happen?

SLUMPING

LANDSLIDES AND MUDFLOWSProcess:A landslide is a rapid movement of boulder clay that occurs on a slip plane that is parallel to the cliff face.

It happens when erosion from the sea undercuts the base of the cliff. This destabilises the cliff face causing the clay to slide down the cliff as a landslide.

Landforms:An accumulation of sediment remains at the base of the cliff which is known as a scree slope.

Deposition: How are beaches formed?

Deposition: How are spits and bars formed?

Swash Aligned BeachWaves approach the coastline and then break in parallel to the coastline

Swash and backwash move sediment up and down the beach.

Creates an even profile along the shoreline

During storms, berms(ridges of sediment can form).

5) Backwash brings the material back down the beach again.

4) Material is picked up again and moved back up the beach as swash.

1) Prevailing wind direction moves waves onshore at an angle.

2) Swash moves the material up the beach at an angle.

6)The sediment moves in a zig-zagmotion along the beach. Over time, large amounts of sediment are moved along the beach.

3)Backwash moves the material straight back down the beach to the sea.

How is a spit formed?

1. Waves carrying material are blown in the direction of the prevailing wind.

2. Longshore drift moves material along the coast.

3. Where the coastline changes direction, material is deposited in water sheltered by the headland.

4. The material builds upwards and outwards to form a spit.

5. A mud flat starts to develop in the sheltered water behind the spit due to less erosion.

6. Secondary winds can cause the end of the spit to curve forming a hooked end

7. The salt marsh develops on the mud flat in the sheltered water.

How is a bar formed?

1. Waves carrying material are blown in the direction of the prevailing wind.

2. Longshore drift moves material along the coast.

3. Where the coastline changes direction, material is deposited in water sheltered by the headland.

4. The material builds upwards and outwards to form a spit.

5. The spit continues to grow across the bay area and joins to the headland to form a bar.

6. A lagoon is formed behind the bar. Over time, this is filled up with sediment to form land.

Drift Aligned Beaches (longshore drift)

e.g. Spurn Head, Holderness Coastline

e.g. Slapton Ley, Devon

Not all coastlines can be protected as this would be highly expensive.

There a variety of socio-economic reasons why seaside towns need to be protected. This includes where large numbers of people live and local businesses.(e.g. Bridlington).The Easington Gas Terminal also needs protecting because it is so important in providing gas for the UK whilst also providing jobs.

The whole of the Holderness coast is vulnerable to erosion as it is made of soft rock. This means decisions are made about which bits to hold the line and which areas will have to be allowed to erode back.

There are 4 Management Options for

each section of coastline:

Do nothing (let the coast erode

naturally)

Hold the line (defend the coastline to

keep the coastline where it is at present)

Advance the Line (build defences

further out from the existing coastline to

help reclaim lost land)

Managed realignment (develop

defences further inland and permit some

coastal flooding)

Shoreline Management Plan

The aim of the Shoreline Management Plan is to identify which areas of coast require protection, and which don’t. By looking at the coast as a whole, planners can make sure that any changes to one part of the coast will not impact another part of the coastline.

Coastal Management

Why do some areas of the coast need protecting but not others?

Pevensey Bay: An example of Soft EngineeringDefinition: Working with the natural processes of sea and sand in a more environmentally

sustainable way. Using the natural processes to bring about an intended effect.

Name & Picture How does it reduce erosion?

Advantages Disadvantages

Beach Recycling As sediment moves due to longshore drift, some parts of the beach lose sediment whilst others gain sediment. To even this out, material is moved back to the

areas where sediment has been lost. This is carried out after

winter storms.

• Adds to tourist amenity by

making bigger beach

• Attractive – no unsightly

structures like hard engineering

• Works with the natural

processes of the coast therefore

more environmentally

friendly

• Needs frequent renewal of more

sand• Does not protect cliff

face against the energetic and destructive

winter storm waves.

• Local people have the opinion

that soft engineering is not as good as

hard engineering.

Beach Replenishment

Dredgers are used to take sand from the sea bed which is then sprayed onto the beach. This

replaces lost beach material from longshore drift and produces a large beach. This causes more friction and reduces erosion.

Beach Reprofiling This involves using bulldozers to push sediment up the beach. This changes the slope angle of beach from steep to gentle. This allows

for more wave energy to be absorbed reducing erosion.

Sometimes plants are placed at the back of the beach to soak up

wave energy.

Holderness Coast: An example of Hard EngineeringDefinition: Controlled disruption of natural processes (e.g. erosion and longshore drift)

by using man-made structures.

Name & Picture How does it reduce erosion?

Advantage Disadvantages

Sea Wall (e.g. Hornsea)

Curved sea walls reflect the energy of the waves back to the sea preventing erosion of the cliff.

Protects the base of cliffs, land and buildings against erosion. Can prevent coastal flooding in some areas.

Can be expensive to maintain as sea-wallsare eroded over time.

Rock Armour (e.gHornsea)

Absorb wave energy reducing the erosion of the cliff face.

Cheaper than sea walls.

Unsitely and reduces access to beach. Can be expensive to obtainand transport the boulders.

Gabion (e.g. Hornsea)

Absorb wave energy reducing the erosion of the cliff face.

Easily installed and cheaper than sea walls.

Not very attractive, needs frequent checking & repair, not easy for people to get over to get to beach, may contain rats nests

Groyne (e.g.Hornsea)

Reduces the rate of longshore drift allowing a large beach to develop. The because causes friction with waves reducing wave energy thus causing less erosion

Allows a large beach to form encouragingtourism.

Can be seen as unattractive. Costly to build and maintain

Cliff Drainage (Mappleton)

Pipes and drains are put into the cliff to remove water that causes slumping.

Can be used on soft rocks effectively.

Can cause erosion where water leaves the pipe into the sea. Can affect local wildlife

Tetrapods (Japan) Absorb wave energy reducing the erosion of the cliff face.

Can be built on site. Reduces transport costs.

Isn’t completed effecting at reducing erosion as some wave energy is not absorbed.

How can we protect the coast from sea level rise? Managed realignmentCase Study: Wallasea Island, Essex

What is managed realignment?

Managed realignment involves the construction of new sea wall at a location behind existing sea wall. This allows the area between the old and new sea wall to become flooded forming a saltmarsh. The created saltmarsh helps reduce erosion and protects against sea-level rise.

Has it been successful?

Benefits:

Farmland wasn’t lost in the creation of the

salt marsh.

Few buildings were destroyed.

Fisheries were improved

Created 115 ha of saltmarsh for birds.

What has happened?

With the coastal defences in the north of

the island crumbling away, the

government decided to realign (change

the shape of) the northern part of the

island by constructing a new

embankment (wall) inland (further south)

and allow the sea to further break

through (breach) the old sea defences.

How has it worked?

The formed salt marsh provides a

natural defence against flood tides and

will be increasingly important as sea

levels rise. Sea water is able to spread

out over the salt marsh reducing the risk

of flooding further inland. Reduced

erosion will also take place as plants

absorb wave energy.

Case Study of managed realignment: Wallasea Wetlands, Essex, UK

It meant that they saved money that would have

otherwise been uselessly spent on replacing the current

sea defenses i.e. a new sea wall that would have cost

around £1,000,000 per kilometre..

Case Study: How can we make the Holderness Coastline sustainable?

ICZM

Element

Environmental

sustainability

Social

Sustainability

Economic

Sustainability

To encourage appropriate offshore wind / wave power generation

Reduces amount of fossil fuels burnt which release

greenhouse gases. This will help reduce the threat of

global warming.

Reduces energy prices as less money has to be paid on

importing fossil fuels. It makes energy affordable for low

income people.

Provides jobs during the manufacture and maintenance

of offshore wind and wave energy plants.

To support schemes that haveenvironmentally friendly farming techniques

Farmers use less chemicals such as fertilizer and

pesticides which cause water pollution. This helps keeps coastal waters clean.

Food grown organically has a higher nutritional value due to

higher vitamin and mineral content. People become

healthier.

Environmentally friendly techniques cost less to

implement so farmers see larger profits which can help

compensate loss of land through erosion.

To ensure the continued viability of the inshore fishing industry

Fish stocks remain high for all species allowing for

biodiversity and maintenance of existing

food webs.

Provides people with a sustainable supply of different varieties of fish at low prices.

Provides a balanced diet.

Provides fishermen with long term job security as fish stocks

are being sustained.

To provide on-site information and education materials to educate and inform both visitors and local people.

Prevents footpath erosionand trampling of plants. Bird species do not get disturbed

by visiting tourists

Local visitors centre to educate people about the wildlife at various coastal

locations and how to protect it

Profits made through tourism can be used to further

conservation work in coastal areas.

What are the current pressures along the Holderness coastline?• Farming related pollution• Overfishing• Footpath erosion• Alternative sources of energy• Overpopulation• Tourism

What is the ICZM and what are the aims?• ICZM stands for Integrated Coastal Zone

Management. It is a 100 page document informing planners on how to be sustainable along the coastline.

• Aims to reduce the pressures along the Holderness Coastline by encouraging sustainable practices.

Sustainability: Meeting the needs of the people today without causing problems for future peoples.

How is the ICZM along the Holderness Coast sustainable?