Crowded Coasts: Fieldwork and Research

Coastal Development Coastal Competition Coastal Erosion or Flooding Coastal ManagementTo investigate factors that have shaped

the development and growth of contrasting crowded coasts over time.

To investigate pressure on the coastal environment when development and

conservation meet head on.

To investigate the rate of coastal retreat or the degree of coastal flood risk,

together with their impacts on development and people on a small

scale.

To investigate the success of coastal management strategies.

Seaford (+ Research Bournemouth and Foreign Resort: e.g. Spain, Florida,

Australia )

Seven Sisters Country Park (+ Research on Morfa Harlech, N.Wales –

Sand Dunes)

Cuckmere Haven and Seaford (+ research on Reculver Bay,

Kent – Erosion and Management)

Cuckmere Haven and Seaford (+ research on Reculver Bay,

Kent – Erosion and Management)

Fieldwork:Survey visitor numbers, ages, distance traveled, duration of stay (Questionnaire), pedestrian count, traffic survey (in and out of season)Environmental surveys, land use survey (closed / newly opened shops and hotels)Survey reasons for stay, where money spent, suggestions for improvements from tourists (Questionnaire)Land use surveys (age of buildings)

Fieldwork:Assess the value and level of destruction of high value coastal areas (Seven Sisters Country Park). E.g. High value coastal areas such as Sand Dunes (Morfa Harlech).Transects – Systematic, Stratified, random, break of slopeLand use / Activity mappingEnvironmental Surveys / litter sampling / Environmental Impact

Fieldwork:- Digital photos, field sketches and video evidence to show evidence of erosion or effectiveness of sea defences- Mapping / recording evidence of types of wave, longshore drift, storm conditions, beach morphology (transects), cliff face features (undercutting, slides, slumps, rock falls) low lying land, salt marsh, flood levels, and the presence of sea defences.- Damage to sea defences – Bi-polar surveys, at risk land use on cliffs or sea front (hotels, residential, recreational, business). Survey views/ questionnaires of various local people, council etc. Impacts on business/land use.

Fieldwork:- Mapping/recording structures and their effects as defences in coping with waves, LSD, storms, mass movement. How various flood defences work together, impacts down drift (measure height of beach either side of groynes, annotated photo’s)- Surveys or environmental damage from development and visitor pressure, strengths and weakness of strategies to manage fragile areas (annotated photos), survey interest groups.- Cost benefit analysis of different management strategies along the coast- Conflict matrix of different viewpoints and interest groups along the coast of defences

Research:Population data from censuses.Old maps Old photographsFor foreign resorts: Travel brochures, online holiday info

Research:Maps of changing land usePrevious surveysNews paper articles – applications for developmentConsultation with interest groups in the area

Research:- Local or Environment Agency data regarding past and present rates of erosion and flood risk (storm/flood return). Historical documents and maps. Satellite images (e.g. plotting LSD), online site (university sites)- News paper coverage of events, secondary questionnaire data, impacts on planning, land use and insurance, long term effects on jobs etc, environmental losses (beaches, SSSI’s etc)

Research:- Local or Environmental Agency data regarding changes in rates of erosion and flood risk. Historical documents and maps. Satellite images, online sites (university).- Newspaper coverage, secondary questionnaire data, impacts on planning, land use and insurance, longer term impacts (beaches, SSSI’s etc). Impacts on bio-diversity studies.

Data Presentation: Largely influenced by data type – - Edited DVD/transcript of interviews, Annotated photos/sketches – To show coastal retreat or landuse changes- GIS (customised with data/photos), Historical maps – To show coastal retreat, management or changes in landuse and development- Data can be tabulated, put into graphs or charts – To compare management strategies, or landuse in different locations- Data can be presented as cross sections – To show transect data – Beach profiles will indicate the type of waves and therefore erosion- Questionnaire and Bi-polar outputs – can be presented in a range of appropriate charts and graphs – To show opinions on development, management and

conservation strategiesData Analysis: A range of appropriate statistical methods

- Mean, Median and Mode – Can be used to analyse questionnaire or numerical data- Flow diagrams and mind maps – Can be used to describe theory behind coastal defence schemes

- Annotating graphs and charts - To help explain anomalous data, or explain maps and GIS

Coastal Development Coastal Competition Coastal Erosion or Flooding Coastal ManagementTo investigate factors that have shaped

the development and growth of contrasting crowded coasts over time.

To investigate pressure on the coastal environment when development and

conservation meet head on.

To investigate the rate of coastal retreat or the degree of coastal flood risk,

together with their impacts on development and people on a small

To investigate the success of coastal management strategies.

scale.

Seaford Seven Sisters Country Park Cuckmere Haven and Seaford

Cuckmere Haven and Seaford

Results and Conclusions:- Initial research showed the arrival of the

railway connecting the town to Lewes and London in the 19th Century helped it became a small seaside resort town.

- Landuse surveys carried out using transects through Seaford showed that most shops were for local people, e.g. selling low order convenience goods, although nearer the centre there were some cafes and restaurants as well as an information centre for tourists.

- Pedestrian and car park surveys showed that Seaford was quiet and footfall was low

- Car park/ number plate survey and questionnaires showed the majority of people visiting Seaford were from SE England so had not travelled long distances to visit the area. Although there were a small number of coaches and mini buses in the Seven Sisters Car Park

- Questionnaires showed that most people visiting Seaford were coming to visit and walk in the Seven Sisters Country Park

- Landuse mapping also found that there were 6 B&B’s, although at the time all had vacancies

- The survey showed that although Seaford may have initially developed with tourism it is now more of a dormitory settlement for Brighton and Eastbourne, or being used by visitors to the Seven Sisters Country Park

Research:http://www.seaford.co.uk/index.php shows the attractions in Seaford

Limitations - The time we visited, as the well maintained beach is said to be the main attraction of Seaford and the weather and time of year was too cold for it to be popular

Results and Conclusions:- Bi-polar survey showed that area within the

Seven Sisters Country Park (Cuckmere Haven) has a much higher quality than areas outside it (Seaford)

- Management strategies tally sheet shows that this is because it is very well managed with a large number and variety of strategies

- However – we did not visit in peak season which would almost certainly have influenced our results

- Landuse mapping and GIS showed in the areas used by people / tourists the environment had been impacted. E.g. litter around car parks and footpaths, and waste washed up onto the beach from shipping and fishing industries around Seaford

Research: (http://www.sevensisters.org.uk/ ) shows the area is well managed and very bio-diverse.

Limitations - The time we visited as the weather and time of year was too cold for it to be popular and therefore have a large impact on the environment

Results and Conclusions:Transects – - Beach profile had a ‘storm beach’ (steep

ridge). These are formed by strong, destructive waves indicating high risk from erosion.

- Pebbles were unsorted in size and angularity, there was also much driftwood / material on the beach. This indicates strong wave energy had left us with little pattern to show longshore drift / sorting.

- Waves were frequent and strong indicating high risk from erosion

- Annotated photos / sketches – showed erosion was taking place and gave evidence for high risk, especially at the base of the cliffs.

Research: Old photos / Maps – Gave evidence that erosion has taken place on this stretch of coast.Geology – Chalk cliffs (which could be seen in the lighter sea colour around them) are at risk from erosion

Limitations – Wider stretch of coast to examine would have given a better overall picture of erosion and the impact of management strategies. Dates of old photos, newspapers and maps at more regular intervals would have helped us understand the change more easily

Results and Conclusions:- Groynes – Measuring on either side of the

groynes showed that they were trapping large amounts of sediment from longshore drift. They are therefore effective as well as being required. They have had an impact reducing the risk (along with the sea wall in front of the houses)

- Management of coast – It has beach replenishment / groynes / rip rap in Seaford and groynes / sea wall in Cuckmere Haven. These seem effective in reducing rates of erosion although only in the areas they are located. E.g. cost / benefit – around housing / towns

Research:SMP - http://www.sdcg.org.uk/

Limitations – Wider stretch of coast to examine would have given a better overall picture of erosion and the impact of management strategies. Dates of old photos, newspapers and maps at more regular intervals would have helped us understand the change more easily

Coastal Development Coastal Competition Coastal Erosion or Flooding Coastal ManagementTo investigate factors that have shaped

the development and growth of contrasting crowded coasts over time.

To investigate pressure on the coastal environment when development and

conservation meet head on.

To investigate the rate of coastal retreat or the degree of coastal flood risk,

together with their impacts on development and people on a small

scale.

To investigate the success of coastal management strategies.

Bournemouth Morfa Harlech, N.Wales Reculver Bay, Kent Reculver Bay, KentResults and Conclusions:- Bournemouth developed as a result of the

Results and Conclusions:- The dune system is a fragile one and even

Results and Conclusions:- The geology of the Reculver Bay area is predominantly sandstones and clay

railway expansion. In 1859 a link between London and Bournemouth was built which resulted in a growth in tourism (although still largely the wealthy)

- The seafront saw the majority of early developments including large hotels and winter gardens for the symphony orchestra

- As average wages increased more people began to visit Bournemouth and the pier was built in the 1880’s.

- This period also saw the growth of smaller, more affordable guest houses to cater for the masses. These are found inland and spreading away from the seafront (due to land values)

- During the 1960’s/70’s Bournemouth declined due to competition from cheaper, package holidays in the Mediterranean.

- The 1980/90’s have seen regeneration take place. Upgraded rail links and an airport have encouraged investment and employment.

- The seafront areas of Bournemouth are still largely home to tourist attractions. E.g. the pier and larger hotels, although some of the older hotels have been redeveloped into student accommodation and flats.

- As you move away from the seafront the accommodation becomes cheaper, guesthouses and campsites.

- Landuse also becomes more residential and brownfield sites have been used to build new housing developments

- The rural urban fringe of the city has seen the relocation of many footloose industries such as banks and financial institutions.

small amounts of damage can cause long-term problems.

- Humans wander onto and through the dunes in increasingly large numbers and small paths which wear through the vegetation cover soon turn into deep gullies as the wind uses the opportunity to carry away the sand.

- Rabbits in their hundreds dig large holes in the dunes. Eventually, large hollows, called blowouts, are formed and up to 50% of a mature dune may be lost.

- Plants die and due to loss of habitat, insects, amphibians, birds and animals also disappear.

- The dunes in Morfa Harlech are protected by the local authority.

- This often means fencing off at least part of the dune system so that public access is restricted. This allows damaged dunes to recover and/or ecologically important sections to be protected.

- Public access to beaches may be via fenced-off pathways. Along the footpaths, information boards can be used to educate the public about why the dune system is important and how they can avoid damaging it.

- Blowouts are repaired by trapping the loose sand with barriers - sometimes old Christmas trees are used. Although the barriers are unsightly, they are eventually covered up and the vegetation re-establishes itself.

- The Dune management in Morfa Harlech is successful due to the number and variety of techniques although conflict can still occur between environmentalists and tourists.

- These rocks are easily eroded. The cliffs are eroding at a rate of approximately 2 m a year.- Old map illustrate that coastal erosion had washed away most of Reculver village by 1800,

leading residents to re-locate to the inland settlement of Hillborough.- Longshore drift, driven by strong north-easterly winds, moves the beach material continuously

westwards. If the beach was allowed to disappear, the waves would attack the sea wall and increase the risk of flooding.

- A large concrete sea wall, built in 1954, extends about 200 metres from in front of the Information Centre along to the twin towers. In 1996, huge boulders, many weighing up to 6 tonnes, were placed in front of the sea wall to give extra protection - rock armour / rip-rap.

- The area is protected by large rock groynes. Originally there had been wooden groynes although these were in an advanced state of decay and were replaced by rip-rap and the rock groynes.

- Due to the high energy of the coastline repairs organised by the Environment Agency (the government body which has responsibility for sea-defence work) and Canterbury City Council, have been carried out. The last such scheme in 1995/96 cost £4.5 million

- The rapid rates of erosion have caused severe decay, making the groynes ineffective and dangerous. At regular intervals, lorries bring fresh supplies of shingle to replenish the beach. This method of coastal defence is called beach nourishment.

- Further down the coast are unprotected cliffs. The cliffs are 20 metre high, soft sandstones. Below the cliffs is a narrow shingle beach, mainly of flinty material. Underneath the shingle is a rocky wave-cut platform made of the same sandstone rocks as the cliff, this provides us with evidence of erosion.

- As the waves at high tide undercut the cliff, a notch and sometimes small caves (usually no more than a metre high or deep) may form, but the soft sandstone easily collapses.

- Results indicate that this is an area with high energy waves and rapid erosion. The coastline has been managed with a variety of hard and soft engineering with varying degrees of success.

Virtual Fieldwork

o Barcelona Field Studies Centre:

o Virtual Fieldwork: Reculver Bay, Kent – Erosion and Management: http://www.georesources.co.uk/recintro.htm

o Virtual Fieldwork: Morfa Harlec, Snowdonia NP, Wales - Coastal Sand Dunes and Management: http://www.georesources.co.uk/csdintro.htm

o Virtual Fieldwork: Florida Keys, USA – Development / Impacts of tourism on the environment: http://virtual-geology.info/vft/fl-keys/triphome.html

The Use of Technology:- Digital cameras – for annotated photos- Video cameras – for filming techniques in the field or something taking place. E.g. wave action- GIS – can be used to plan field trips and also present data sets on maps- GPS – to locate sites / features- Internet – researching fieldwork / SMPs

To answer fieldwork and research questions … Try to refer to what you actually did and found out… but don’t forget you can also apply your knowledge of case studies and theory to help

o Virtual Fieldwork: Coasts – Methodology: http://www.geography-fieldwork.org/coastfieldwork/index.htm

o http://www.geographypages.co.uk/virtual.htm