Coasts Case Studies

• HOLDERNESS COAST Yorkshire, East Coast of England

  • Fastest eroding coastline in Europe.
  • Erosion rate 1.8m per year
  • Boulder clay - easily eroded
  • 11.4km has coastal protection
  • Settlements: Bridlington, Hornsea, Withernsea, Mappleton, Easington.
  • SMP - Groynes, sea walls, rock armour, revetments defences. 
  • Easington gas terminals. Revetment removed if gas terminals no longer needed.
  • Spit at Spurn Point eventually washed away
  • No building within 30m of cliff edge. 30-200m not advised. Gradual relocation of caravan sites etc.
• THE SUNDARBANS - SW BANGLADESH + INDIA Background

  • Coastal area on delta of 3 rivers in Bay of Bengal.
  • Part of largest mangrove forest in the world - natural defence against flooding, erosion, reduce cyclone destruction
  • Population 4.5 million- one of most densely populated coastlines in Asia
  • Provides largest supply of wood to Bangladesh.
  • 80% of pop involved in fisheries + farming - mangroves productive fishing grounds. Fertile land for growing crops (rice).
  • Tourism - UNESCO World Heritage Site - 3 Wildlife Reserves.
• THE SUNDURBANS - ISSUES

  • June-September monsoon - heavy rains and cyclones
  • Increased coastal erosion and rising water.
  • Bay of Bengal rising up to 2x as fast as global average (thermal expansion)
  • 42% pop below poverty line
  • Competition for space between people and animals. Tiger attacks.
  • Coastal fishing has reduced yields
  • Salination of soil - impacts crop yields.
  • Deforestation of mangroves - remove natural defence.
• THE SUNDURBANS ICZM 2005

  • Over 2000 cyclone shelters built.
  • 5000km of embankments - protect farmland against salination (flooding salt water).
  • Mangrove reforestation. Government planted 148,000ha.
  • Salt tolerant rice varieties (can grow in saline water).
  • Ecotourism