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3.1.3.2 Coastal landscapes in the UK (part b) GapFill

Target Level
4-5
Running Total
0
0%
Attempt
1 of 3

You must fill all the gaps before clicking ‘Check Answers!’

Hard engineering is used to protect cliffs. It is usually  basesoftexpensivecheap. Hard engineering includes rock  shieldingcheapexpensivearmour. These are boulders placed at the  marshescheaptopbase of a cliff. Sea walls are often installed in front of  farmlandhard engineeringsoft engineeringsettlements. They might be curved in order to efficiently reflect the incoming  groynesboulderswindwaves. Many of our sea walls are old - being built by the Victorians. They also need maintenance if they develop cracks or are damaged by powerful storms.  Sea wallscliffsGroynessoft engineering are structures, often made of wood, which are built across the beach. Their job is to trap sediment which is transported by  armourlongshore driftdredginghard engineering. Hard engineering schemes might be ugly and out of character with the landscape and damaging. For example, they may disrupt habitats and actually increase erosion further along the coast - without eroded material, beaches become  widertallerthinnershingle and offer less protection to the cliffs behind them.

Soft engineering can be used to protect the coast. This is  cheapermarshesexpensivelongshore drift, although may need constant maintenance. Soft engineering includes nourishing  basebeachesgroynescheap, which means that they are able to absorb more energy from the waves. Soft engineering can also involve stabilising  beachesgabionsdunesgroynes, by planting marram grass, fencing areas off to avoid trampling, and even adding old Christmas trees to help sand naturally build up. While there may be issues with sourcing material such as through offshore dredging, the engineering can create valuable habitats. Management is another form of soft engineering - for example allowing areas of the coast (usually low-value areas) to be lost to the sea. This helps create downstream sediment to help protect areas elsewhere. This is called coastal  liningrealignmentmarshesexpensive (or managed retreat).

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Pass Mark
72%