Lesson video

Hello and welcome.

My name is Ms. Harrison.

I'm so looking forward to learning with you today.

Today's lesson is called "Cost and Benefits of Coastal Management Strategies." Grab everything you might need for today's lesson, and let's begin our learning.

By the end of today's lesson, you'll be able to explain different types of coastal management strategies, and you'll be able to evaluate the costs and benefits.

Before we can begin this learning, we need to find the keywords we'll be using throughout today's lesson.

The keywords in today's lesson are hard-engineering, soft-engineering, managed retreat, and stakeholder.

Hard-engineering: this is using artificial structures to protect coastlines from erosion and flooding.

Soft-engineering: this is making use of natural processes to reduce erosion and flooding in a way that minimises environmental impact.

Managed retreat: this is when areas of the coast are deliberately allowed to flood or erode naturally.

Stakeholder: this is any groups or individuals involved in or interested in changes being made at the coast.

Fantastic.

Now that we've defined these keywords, we can begin our learning.

The first question we're going to explore in today's lesson is costs and benefits of hard and soft-engineering.

Coastal management is extremely important as it helps to protect communities and environments.

Camber Sands is a beautiful coastline in East Sussex, but it faces challenges from erosion and flooding.

To protect it, several methods have been implemented, such as sand dunes act as a natural barrier, which absorb wave energy; groynes trap sand and reduce longshore drift, maintaining the beach; beach nourishment replaces eroded sand, preserving the coast's natural beauty.

All of these methods work together to protect Canvas Sands for future generations.

You can see some of these coastal-management methods labelled on the map on your screen.

Coastal landscapes are some of the most dynamic environments on Earth, constantly shaped by erosion, deposition, and human intervention.

Coastal management is about finding ways to protect these landscapes from threats, like flooding and erosion, while balancing environmental and economic concerns.

By the end of the session, you're going to be able to explain the different management strategies.

Let's take a look at how coastal management strategies are divided.

We have hard-engineering methods, and these are artificial structures that act as a physical barrier to natural processes, and provide immediate protection against erosion and flooding at the coast.

Soft-engineering: making use of natural processes in order to reduce erosion and flooding at the coast in a sustainable way that minimises environmental impacts.

Managed retreat: allowing areas of the land at the coast to be eroded or flooded naturally, creating new habitats that can provide natural protection from erosion and flooding.

Let's now take a closer look at these.

An example of hard-engineerings are sea walls.

Sea walls are built at the base of the cliff to deflect wave energy.

They're incredibly effective in preventing erosion and flooding, but they're also the most expensive option, costing millions to construct and maintain.

Additionally, they can cause increased erosion further along the coast.

Groynes: groynes are barriers built at right angles to the coast to trap sediment moved by longshore drift.

They help to maintain beaches, which protect the coast and attract tourists.

However, groynes starve other areas of sediment, leading to erosion elsewhere.

I'd like you to maybe think about why local businesses might support this strategy, while environmentalists might oppose it.

Exactly, local businesses will be in favour of this because they would like big wide beaches which attract tourists, whereas environmentalists will be against it because it disrupts animal habitats.

Another example is rock armour.

This uses large boulders to absorb wave energy.

It's relatively cheaper than seawalls, and it blends in well with the natural surroundings.

However, sourcing and transporting the rocks can be costly and environmentally damaging.

Gabions: gabions are placed at the base of the cliff, as they reduce risk of cliff sliding.

They're cost-effective, and they're quick to instal, but they're not durable in the long term, as the wires might rust, and this can pose a risk to humans and to animals.

Additionally, they're not really aesthetically pleasing, which can deter tourists from the area.

Let's now test our knowledge.

What is the aim of our hard-engineering methods? Is it, A: to conserve coastal ecosystems and habitats in a sustainable way; B: way to create physical barriers that provide immediate protection; or C: to maintain natural-looking coastlines for local residents and visitors? Pause the video here whilst you decide, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The aim of hard-engineering methods is B: to create physical barriers that provide immediate protection.

Well done on this task.

Soft-engineering methods are more environmentally sustainable methods.

Beach nourishment involves adding sand or shingle to eroded beaches.

It's environmentally friendly and enhances beaches' aesthetics for tourism.

However, it requires ongoing maintenance, as the new material is quickly eroded, and this becomes very, very expensive.

Dune stabilisation: This involves planting vegetation, like marram grass, to stabilise sand dunes, which act as natural buffers against wave energy.

They're cheap, and they're sustainable, but they require public cooperation to avoid stamping all over them, 'cause otherwise they become ineffective.

Reprofiling: this is when we redistribute sediment from the lower part of the beach to the upper part of the beach, to strengthen the coat's natural defences.

It's low cost, but it's really labour intensive, and it needs regular maintenance, especially after storm events.

Let's now test our knowledge.

Which image shows soft-engineering? Pause the video here whilst you take a closer look, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The answer is C.

The reason why it's C is because it's an environmentally-friendly, and one that reduces environmental impacts, whereas A and B are both methods that have a physical artificial barrier installed.

Well done on this task.

True or false? Soft-engineering methods have a lower impact on the environment than hard-engineering methods.

Pause the video here whilst you decide, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

The answer is true.

I would now like you to explain why the statement is true.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

The reason why the statement is true is because soft-engineering methods work with natural processes rather than blocking them, like hard-engineering methods do, which reduce the environmental impact of soft-engineering.

Well done if you managed to explain that correctly.

I would now like you to complete the table on the following coast management methods.

We're going to focus on groynes, sea walls, beach nourishment, and dune stabilisation.

I would like you to provide a description of them, and then state their benefits and their costs.

Pause the video here whilst you attempt this task, and press play When you're ready to check your answers.

Fantastic.

Let's go and check our answers.

For groynes, their description is they're barriers built at right angles to the beach, to trap sediment.

Their benefits are that they reduce erosion and they widen beaches, but their costs are that they can increase erosion elsewhere, and they require maintenance.

Sea walls: these are concrete walls that deflect wave energy.

They're great because they reduce erosion and flood risk, but they're expensive, and they need frequent maintenance.

Beach nourishment: this is when we add sediment to beaches to replace eroded material.

The benefits are that they widen beaches and absorb wave energy, however, they need regular upkeep, and they disrupt natural sediment flow.

Dune stabilisation: this is when we plant marram grass to stabilise dunes.

They help to maintain natural-looking beaches that absorb wave energy, but newly-planted dunes are zoned off, so people cannot walk all over them.

Well done on this task.

I hope you managed to get some of the following points in your answer.

We're now gonna begin our second question of today's lesson: Costs and benefits of coastal realignment.

Managed retreat allows for certain areas of the coastline to erode or flood in a controlled manner.

This approach is often chosen for lower-value land that is already vulnerable to flooding and erosion.

It is not the same as doing nothing.

This approach is used when there is less economic value or less social value to the area.

As we can see on the image, it involves properties being relocated, and beaches and cliffs moving inland.

Coastal realignment is a type of managed retreat.

It involves allowing natural coastal processes, like erosion and deposition, to reshape the coastline and create new habitats.

An example of this is Medmerry in Sussex, where managed retreat created an intertidal habitat which helped to reduce flood risks for inland communities.

However, this approach can result in the loss of farmland, homes, and requires relocating of affected communities.

This is really expensive and a disruptive process.

As sea levels rise, managing our coasts becomes more important.

Managed retreat is one approach that lets nature take its course, with several benefits and challenges.

Managed retreat is cost-effective compared to building hard coastal defences.

As land is reclaimed by the sea, it creates salt marshes that provide habitats for wildlife, and act a natural barrier against erosion and flooding.

However, the land loss to the sea, impacting farmers and landowners.

Compensation costs can range anywhere between 5,000 to 10,000 pounds per hectare.

If communities or infrastructures need to be relocated, the process can be expensive and disruptive, adding to the challenges of managed retreat.

While managed retreat has its costs, it offers a natural long-term solution to coastal erosion and flooding, whilst balancing environmental and human needs.

Let's now test our knowledge.

Which of these are benefits of coastal realignment? Is it, A: more cost-effective than constructing and maintaining hard-engineering defences; B: leads to the creation of natural habitats, such as mud flats and salt marshes; or C: sacrifices farmland, which reduces food production, and may harm the local economy? Pause the video here whilst you decide, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The answers are A and B.

They're more effective than constructing and maintaining hard-engineering defences, and it leads to the creation of natural habitats such as mud flats and salt marshes.

Well done on this task.

True or false? Managed retreat is when management strategies are put in place to widen beaches due to the land's economic value.

Pause the video here whilst you decide, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

This statement is false.

I would now like you to explain why this statement is false.

Pause the video here, and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Fantastic.

The reason why the statement is false is because managed retreat allows for certain areas to erode or flood in a controlled manner.

This approach is often chosen for lower-value land, where it can create natural habitats and reduce long-term maintenance costs.

Well done if you managed to explain that correctly.

I would now like you to state one benefit and one cost of coastal realignment.

Andeep has cleverly noted that coastal realignment is a type of managed retreat.

Pause the video here whilst you attempt this task, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent work on this task.

Let's check our answers.

Your answer might include some of the following points: One benefit of coastal realignment is that it creates natural habitats, like salt marshes, which act as natural flood defences by absorbing wave energy, protecting relocated communities inland from storm surges.

One cost is that it can lead to the loss of homes and farmland, as land is lost.

Some communities may be relocated, but this can be very expensive and disruptive to the communities.

Well done if you managed to complete this task, and provide one benefit and one cost of coastal realignment.

We're now going to explore our final question of today's lesson: different views about coastal management.

Coastal management measures, while essential for protecting coastlines and mitigating erosion, affect various stakeholders in diverse and sometimes conflicting ways.

Laura has noted that she thinks local communities will be in favour of coastal management strategies because it protects their homes and businesses, and Jun has said that he thinks councils might be against it if it'll cost them lots of money.

Environmental organisations and conservationists often approach coastal management with focus on sustainability and the preservation of natural habitats.

They're often in favour of methods such as beach nourishment and dune stabilisation and the creation of wetlands because they work in harmony with natural systems, enhancing biodiversity while providing protection.

Environmentalists may also support relocating infrastructure and allowing natural processes to shape the coastline.

This approach prioritises ecosystem conservation but may face resistance from other stakeholders like local residents.

Techniques like seawalls, groynes, and rock armour can disrupt ecosystems by altering sediment flows and harming marine habitats, prompting criticism from conservation groups and environmentalists.

Businesses operating along the coast, including shops, restaurants, hotels, are deeply invested in maintaining an accessible and appealing coastline.

Strategies that maintain or enhance beaches, such as beach nourishment or protective structures are critical for attracting visitors.

They also need these to be clean, safe, and well maintained, because beaches are a cornerstone of coastal tourism.

Hard-engineering, such as large sea walls or groynes, may protect infrastructure, but they could deter tourists if they are perceived as unattractive or if they reduce the beach size.

Local residents prioritise protecting their homes and livelihoods.

They often advocate for immediate action to prevent erosion and flooding.

Advocate means to speak up and to take action.

Laura has noted that, if no action is taken, lots of families will have to move and may lose their jobs.

This can be really difficult, and she's right.

It means that they might lose their community ties, their jobs, their homes, places where they've lived for many years, and where maybe their family grew up, which can be really emotionally draining.

To resolve stakeholder conflict, an integrated coastal zone management approach is often used.

This approach ensures that the economic, environmental, and community needs are balanced.

Collaboration is extremely important in making sustainable decisions, especially when it involves coastal erosion, and people's livelihoods and homes.

Which of these stakeholder groups would be most likely to support hard-engineering methods of coastal defences? Is it, A: environmentalists concerned about coastal habitats; B: residents campaign to protect houses from erosion; or C: local councils facing budget cuts? Pause the video here whilst you decide, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The answer is B: residents campaigning to protect houses from erosion are more likely to be in support of hard-engineering methods.

True or false? An integrated coastal zone management approach is focused on saving money by choosing the least expensive method.

Pause the video here whilst you decide if this statement is true or false, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

This statement is false.

I would now like you to explain why it's false.

Pause the video here whilst you attempt it, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

The reason why this statement is false is because an integrated coastal zone management approach involves the different stakeholders in developing a coastal management strategy that tries to make sure economic, environmental, and community needs are all addressed as far as possible.

Well done.

I would now like you to use the stakeholder statements below to help you explain why there can be conflicting views about coastal management.

Let's take a look at the stakeholder statements.

A local resident has said, "34 houses have already gone, and more at risk from erosion.

If we don't invest in coastal defences, more will be lost." A local business owner has said, "Protecting the coast is important for tourism and helps our economy grow.

An environmentalist said, "I'm worried about the coastal management.

Sea walls can harm wildlife and might cause erosion in other areas." Local counsellor: "I don't think coastal management is a good idea.

The costs are high and it won't stop erosion in the long run." Pause the video here whilst you explain why there can be conflicting views about coastal management, and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Fantastic work.

Let's check our answer.

Your answer might include some of the following points.

"One argument in favour of hard-engineering defences is that they would protect homes and businesses.

According to one of the statements, 34 houses have already been lost and more risk if no action is taken.

Without defences, the situation could worsen, leading to further destruction.

Coastal defences could also benefit tourism, which is important for the local economy, as a second stakeholder points out.

The area could lose income if its beaches and attractions are damaged by erosion.

However, there are concerns about the effectiveness and impact of these defences.

One stakeholder mentions that sea walls, while protecting one area, can cause increased erosion further along the coast.

this means that solving one problem could actually create another.

Another issue is the cost.

Building sea walls and other hard-engineering defences is expensive, and as another stakeholder suggests, it might not be a long-term solution, as erosion could continue despite the efforts.

In conclusion, while coastal management could help protect homes and boost the local economy, the environmental risks and high costs make it a difficult choice.

Investment in coastal defences is clearly necessary to protect high-value locations, but it should be balanced with environmental protection and long-term planning.

Soft-engineering methods together with coastal management strategies of managed retreat can meet some of the needs of stakeholders in a way that reduces costs and environmental impacts." This answer is great because it's provided both a for and against argument for coastal management.

It's given stakeholder-specific information, and then it's provided conclusion that summarise all of its points.

It also gives direction on how coastal management should be implemented by both using hard and soft-engineering methods to make sure it meets social, economic, and environmental needs.

Well done on this task.

You've done brilliantly.

We've now come to the end of our lesson on costs and benefits of coastal management strategies.

You've worked fantastically in today's lesson.

Before we end, let's summarise what we've learned.

Hard-engineering methods like sea walls offer high levels of protection but are expensive and can exacerbate erosion elsewhere.

Soft-engineering methods, such as beach nourishment, are more sustainable, but require ongoing maintenance.

Managed retreat involves allowing selected areas of the coastline to erode or flood, creating habitats that provide natural protection from erosion and flooding for land further inland.

Stakeholders, including local communities, environmentalists, and businesses, have different priorities, leading to a need for collaboration to address these varied interests effectively.

Well done on this, and we've done brilliantly today.

I look forward to with you again very soon.