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Human Impacts on Coastal Processes. 2 types of human impact. Land-based impacts Sea-based impacts. Land-based impacts include…. Dredging of estuaries. Clearance of Mangroves Construction of port or commercial facilities. Canal Estates. Beachfront property development. Marinas.
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2 types of human impact • Land-based impacts • Sea-based impacts
Land-based impacts include…. • Dredging of estuaries. • Clearance of Mangroves • Construction of port or commercial facilities. • Canal Estates. • Beachfront property development. • Marinas. • Sand mining and extraction. • Construction of coastal defences.
Sea-based impacts include…. • Waste disposal. • Recreational fishing. • Water sports. • Oil and gas production. • Commercial shipping. • Oil spills.
The effects of these activities include….. • Change to the physical character of the coast. • Change to our natural heritage. • Change in the use of our coastal areas.
Change to the Physical Character • Loss or decline of landscape value. • Loss of amenities i.e. beaches and dunes. • Disruption of sediment movement. • Impact on the character and nature of coastal towns.
Changes to the Natural Heritage • Loss or decline of habitat. • Disruption to coastal ecosystems. • Loss of biodiversity. • Decline in fish and shellfish resources. • Loss of natural landscapes.
Change in coastal use • Conflict over the use of coastal zones. • Incompatible land uses, should be located elsewhere. • Pressure for services to meet the demands of coastal developments. • Demand for residential land. • Impact on existing business and employment.
The Sediment Budget • This is a balance between. • The sediment being added to the coastal zone. • The sediment being lost from the coastal zone. • Compartments • Budget = inputs – outputs.
How humans interfere with the sediment budget • Remove sediment. • Block the flow of sediment. • Damage coastal sediment landforms.
Coastal Defences • Put in place to either build up beaches or to stop wave encroachment. • 2 types of defence management options.
Hard Management Options • Groynes. • Breakwaters. • Sea Walls. • Rip Rap.
Soft Management Options • Beach Nourishment. • Buy-Back Schemes. • Protection & revegetation of Sand Dunes.