A coastal system represents a complex network of interconnected processes involving the interaction between land and sea, where various inputs, outputs, and transfers of energy and materials occur continuously.
The system operates through multiple components, including stores like beaches, cliffs, and offshore deposits, which hold sediment temporarily or permanently. Energy inputs primarily come from waves, tides, and wind, while material inputs include sediment from rivers, cliff erosion, and offshore sources. These elements work together in sediment cells - self-contained units of coastal landscape where sediment movement occurs in predictable patterns. Understanding sediment cell dynamics is crucial for coastal management and predicting future changes.
Geological factors play a fundamental role in determining coastal evolution and recession rates. The rock type, structure, and arrangement significantly influence erosion patterns, with harder rocks like granite being more resistant than softer materials like clay. The distinction between concordant and discordant coastlines affects how waves interact with the shore, creating different landform patterns. In concordant coasts, rock layers run parallel to the shoreline, while discordant coasts have layers running perpendicular, leading to varied erosion rates and distinctive features. Long-term predictions for UK coastal areas indicate increased erosion risks due to climate change and rising sea levels, particularly affecting areas with less resistant geology. The East Yorkshire coast, for example, experiences some of the highest erosion rates in Europe due to its soft boulder clay composition. These predictions emphasize the importance of understanding coastal processes for effective management strategies and adaptation planning. The movement of sediment within these systems follows complex patterns influenced by wave action, longshore drift, and human interventions, making coastal landscape management a challenging but crucial aspect of environmental planning.
