soft engineering/ managed retreat

• Define 'soft engineering'.

  Soft engineering works with the natural environment to protect coastal areas.
• Describe what beach nourishment & reprofiling is and how it works.

  Sediment is either added to the beach from elsewhere or shifted from the bottom of the beach to the top.
• What are the advantages of beach nourishment & reprofiling?

  These processes create a wider beach, which slows waves and provides greater protection from erosion and flooding.
• What are the disadvantages of beach nourishment & reprofiling?

  These processes are expensive and must be repeated regularly. Beach access may be restricted during construction.
• Describe what dune regeneration is and how it works.

  Dunes are created or restored by adding more sand (nourishment), building fences or planting vegetation.
• What are the advantages of dune regeneration?

  Dunes form an effective barrier between land and sea, and they help maintain natural habitats.
• What are the disadvantages of dune regeneration?

  This method is expensive and requires a lot of maintenance.
• Describe what managed retreat (or coastal realignment) is and how it works.

  Managed retreat (or coastal realignment) allows land to become naturally flooded, creating an area of marshland or mudflats that protects inland areas.
• What are the advantages of managed retreat/ coastal realignment?

  It is a cheap, easy and natural option.
• What are the disadvantages of managed retreat/ coastal realignment?

  Large areas of agricultural land may be lost, and inhabitants relocated at a high cost.