Depositional coastal
features
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Beach
Bar
Barrier
Dune
Spit
Tombolo
Tombolotied island
Tombolo
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Coastal formation of beach material
developed by refraction and
longshore drift to form a ‘neck’
connecting a coast to an offshore
island or breakwater
Shallow Inlet spit - aerial oblique photograph
Spit
Training
wall
groyne
Spit
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Spits are long narrow ridges of sand which
project from the coastline into the sea.
The formation of a spit begins due to a
change in the direction of a coastline - the
main source of material building up a spit
is from longshore drift which brings
material from further down the coast.
Dunes
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Beach dunes are formed by sand that is
blown to the back edge of the beach. The
winds that blow off the ocean bounce sand
grains along the ground and also carry
them through the air.
Dune building is a gradual process and
plants play an important role in dune
formation. Roots stabilize the dune and
above ground plant structures intercept
and trap more sand.
Coastal Management
Throughout the world there is a great
concern about coastal environments.
There has been an increase in the damage
caused by human actions that interfere
with natural processes.
Foreshore development, especially where
buildings are constructed on the dunes
systems, are in danger of being washed
away. Even the construction of
boardwalks, jetties and breakwaters have
impacts on natural processes.
Coastal management strategies
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Construction of protective barriers and
walls to reduce erosion egg sea walls.
These can detract from the appearance of
the beach. Although they are designed to
reduce erosion they often increase the
removal of sand in front of the wall as
energy scours the sand.
Breakwaters are constructed at the
entrance of rivers to stop sand deposition
Groynes are constructed at right angles to
the beach to catch sand moving with
longshore drift.
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Replanting of dunes to stabilise sand
Removal of introduced species e.g.
bitou bush
Fencing off areas
Beach nourishment- replacing sand
Buying houses on the coast and
removing the structures to enable
the dunes to redevelop
Summary of coastal management
techniques
Brief
Advantages
description of
management
strategy
Disadvantage
Coastal management
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YouTube - Coastal Management
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Different perspectives
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YouTube - A MESSAGE TO GOLD
COAST CITY COUNCIL