Coastal Zone
In this unit students gain an understanding of coasts and their landforms, rising sea levels, and how coasts are managed. There are six key ideas in this unit:
- The coast is shaped by weathering, mass movement, erosion, transportation and deposition
- Distinctive landforms result from different processes
- Rising sea level will have important consequences for people living in the coastal zone
- Coastal erosion can lead to cliff collapse. This causes problems for people and the environment.
- There is discussion about how the coast should be managed. There is debate about the costs and benefits of ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ engineering.
- Coastal zones provide a unique environment and habitat. There is a need for conservation and this leads to conflict with other land uses.