Coastal management

Coastal management

Coastal management is dependent on the use of the coastal land i.e. conflicts between user groups as well as the physical processes impacting on the coast such as erosion and longshore drift. There are various types of management strategies, most implement some type of reinforcement or mechanical structure. These are called hard engineering.

Remember:

1. Conflicts between user groups
2. Physical risks such as flooding and erosion

The greatest risk to shorelines today is erosion and flooding. The risk of flooding is greatly increased by storm surges. Storm surges invoke low air pressure which rises the level of the sea [at high tide]. Strong winds then cause huge waves across the coast resulting in flooding.

Hard engineering 

Hard engineering is typically used in short term management strategies. It involves some sort of mechanical structure or reinforcement that prevents the movement of sediment along the coast or prevents the coast from being eroded. It is expensive, [can have an impact in areas lower down the coast as it disrupts processes] and generally ruins the landscape. However, they are effective.

Soft engineering

Soft engineering does not involve reinforcements or coastal sea defences. It is more cost-sustainable and involves more management than hard engineering. Some examples are:

1. Beach replenishment
2. Managed retreat
3. Re-vegetation

Most of these focus on repairing and replenishing the landscape but this is time consuming and not always effective.

Beach replenishment is when beaches and shorelines are replenished with sand and shingle from other places. It can be costly to maintain and time consuming due to the transport costs and actual work involving its dispersal. On the other hand, it does not ruin the landscape nor does it disrupt processes occurring elsewhere. This is mostly used where there is valuable land of economic worth such as a tourist attraction.

Managed retreat occurs where there is land of low value such as low-lying farmland. This is chosen when the natural processes are allowed to 'run their course' and flood the land. Floods typically occur during storm surges or when there is a fast rate of erosion.

Re-vegetation is exactly how it sounds. Vegetation such as grass and roots is encouraged to grow in order to stabilise the cliff.