QUIZ Coastal Erosion and Landforms

Study Notes – QUIZ Coastal Erosion

• Types of Coastal Erosion

  • Coastal erosion occurs in two primary forms: geological erosion and human-induced erosion.
  • Geological erosion is a natural process where coastlines wear away over time due to waves, wind, rain, and tides, leading to the loss of landforms and habitats.
  • This natural erosion also involves the movement of sediments along shorelines, often carried far by powerful water movements like longshore currents.
  • Human-induced erosion is accelerated by human actions, such as coastal construction, which alters natural sand movement and increases erosion.
  • Structures like seawalls and jetties, while intended for protection, can disrupt natural sand flow, leading to erosion down the coast.
  • Dredging operations in rivers and streams can remove sediment vital for beach growth, further contributing to coastal erosion.
  • Pollution from construction also damages protective plants on dunes and cliffs, making shores more vulnerable to erosion.

  Current Challenges Facing Coastal Landforms

  • Rising sea levels, intensified storms, and excessive human construction pose significant threats to coastal landforms.
  • Sea levels are rising due to climate change, causing higher water levels that erode land, reduce beach areas, and impact coastal animal habitats.
  • Increased sea levels also lead to more severe storms that can damage protective structures and flood coastal communities.
  • Storms are becoming more frequent and intense, generating powerful waves and heavy rainfall that cause significant damage to beaches, cliffs, and coastal living areas.
  • Stronger storms also increase damage costs for repairs along the coast and disrupt ecosystems, displacing aniamls and plants.
  • Coastal construction can worsen erosion by altering natural water flow and blocking natural paths for water and sand, harming plant and animal habitats.
  • Pollution from urban, industrial, and agricultural sources contaminates coastal waters, harming marine life and devastating ecosystems like coral reefs, lagoons, estuaries, and tidal flats.
  • While hard structures like seawalls attempt to stop erosion, they can unintentionally exacerbate problems further down the coast.

  Impact of Erosion on Coastal Landforms and Ecosystems

  • Coastal erosion destroys habitats, displacing animals and plants as land washes into the sea.
  • The loss of essential coastal areas like beaches, dunes, cliffs, and wetlands, exacerbated by rising sea levels and stronger storms, threatens the survival of many species.
  • Erosion changes how sand and sediment move along the coast, which can shrink or expand beaches unevenly.
  • Storms and rising sea levels intensify these changes, displacing more sand and dirt, which reduces land available for coastal life.
  • Man-made structures, like seawalls, disrupt natural sediment movement, often worsening erosion further down the coast.
  • Erosion and human activities disrupt marine life by altering seafloor composition and removing necessary habitats.
  • Pollution negatively impacts marine animals by introducing harmful substances into the water, hindering respiration and foraging, leading to a reduction in fish populations and disruption of food chains.
  • Seawalls also undermine marine habitats by interfering with natural processes that shape coastal areas crucial for the development of young fish.

  Innovative Solutions to Combat Coastal Erosion

  • Coastal erosion is being combated with creative solutions, including beach nourishment, green infrastructure, and engineering adaptations.
  • Beach nourishment involves adding sand to beaches from other locations to replenish eroded areas, often followed by planting vegetation to stabilize the new sand.
  • Green infrastructure uses natural elements like plants and soils to manage water and protect against erosion and flooding, offering a more sustainable and often cost-effective alternative to hard structures.
  • Engineering adaptations, such as seawalls and groynes, are robust barriers built to protect coastlines.
  • Seawalls act as physical barriers against waves and shield coastal developments, while groynes extend into the sea to trap sand and maintain beaches.