Page 2: Coastal Landforms and Vegetation
This page focuses on various coastal landforms and the role of vegetation in coastal environments.
Coastal Landforms
The text describes several coastal landforms:
- Sand Dunes: Formed by wind carrying sand up the beach, with vegetation trapping the sand.
- Spits: Created by longshore drift depositing sediment until it reaches the mainland.
- Tombolo: An extension of the mainland formed when a spit connects to an island.
- Cuspate Foreland: Triangular-shaped landforms created where longshore drift meets from two directions.
Definition: Longshore drift is the process of sediment movement along the beach, caused by prevailing winds pushing waves at an angle to the shore.
Vegetation and Succession
The page explains the role of vegetation in coastal environments:
- Plant roots bind sediment together
- Leaves slow down wind speeds
- Dead leaves form soil
Vocabulary: Halophytes are plants adapted to salty conditions, while xerophytes are adapted to dry conditions.
The text also describes plant succession in sand dunes, from pioneer species to more complex plant communities.
Example: The guide mentions specific plant and animal species found in sand dune ecosystems, such as marram grass, sea bindweed, rabbits, and various bird species.
Saltmarshes
The formation of saltmarshes behind spits in estuaries is briefly explained, noting the mix of fresh water, sea water, and sediment.
Highlight: The guide emphasizes the importance of understanding these coastal processes and landforms for both GCSE and A-Level Geography students, providing a comprehensive overview of coastal systems and their dynamics.
