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North Devon Biosphere - report on pebble ridge

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North Devon Biosphere - report on pebble ridge

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Shoreline Management Plan - covers Bude

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CISCAG - Draft Shoreline Management Plan Index

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Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Shoreline Management Plan

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Shoreline Management Plan - covers WWH!

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News - Latest news from Devon and the UK - Devon Live

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Get the latest news from Devon and around the UK. Breaking news & headlines, live blogs, video, pictures and in-depth comment & analysis from the Devon Live news team.

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These techniques can be used in the traditional way to study and analyse coastal processes and landforms. Alternatively, why not update your fieldwork slightly to investigate one of the topical and relevant issues in the list below, using the same set of techniques.

Coastal investigations - Why not try...?

Investigating the value which people place on a local beach

Investigating a litter problem or another issue: why does it happen there, who is most responsible and what is their perception of the beach environment, how might the issue be resolved or minimised

Investigating coastal management strategies, for example groynes as habitats. What lives on or around them? How might their removal affect the ecosystem

Investigating water quality at the local beach - does it deserve its blue flag? Should it have one

Undertaking a cost-benefit analysis of coastal protection measures at a particular location

A 'what would happen if...?' study. For example, what would happen if all coastal protection measures were removed

Considering the possible implications of climate change and sea level rise. What impact will projected forecasts of more extreme weather events and rising sea level have on existing coastal management schemes

Technique one: Beach profiles
Aims Equipment Methodology

1. Select sampling points for beach profiles across the width of the beach

2. At each sample point in turn, place a ranging pole at the start and finish. The first point should ideally be the low tide mark, or as close to this as is safe

3. Note the main changes in slope angle up the beach, and use them to inform the 'sections' for the profile.

4. For each change in slope, use the clinometer to take a bearing to record the slope angle. It is important to ensure that the bearing is taken from a point on the ranging pole that coincides with the eye level of the person using the clinometer. Many ranging poles have stripes which can be used for this purpose. Alternatively, bearings can be taken from the eye level of a person of a similar height holding the ranging pole

5. Measure the distance along the ground of the section, and record this information alongside the slope angle

6. Repeat processes four and five for each break in slope that you have identified

Pantometers can be used by one person, and the slope can be surveyed systematically at regular, short intervals.
Considerations and possible limitations

Varying tidal conditions can affect access and safety. Make sure you check tide times before you embark on your fieldwork

Low tide is the best time to measure beach profiles, but places a time constraint on the activity. This can be overcome if groups of students complete profiles at different locations simultaneously and share their results

It is important to ensure that the ranging poles are held straight and prevented from sinking into sand, both of which may affect angle readings

Sampling technique is an important consideration. A balance needs to be struck between time available and the need for a number of profiles across the width of the beach to ensure the validity of results

There may be some user error when taking readings with a clinometer, and the sophistication of models of clinometer can vary enormously

If using a pantometer, this piece of equipment must be kept vertical when taking readings

Using the data within an investigation
Technique two: Sediment analysis
Aims Equipment Methodology
Techniques for measuring are the same as for sediment analysis in river studies. Please refer to this section for more information.

However, thought should be given to the sampling technique used to ensure that a representative sample is obtained.

Quadrats can be used to select sediment for sampling. Alternatively, ten surface pebbles touching your foot can be selected at each location. There are many different methods of sampling sediment. The different methods should be analysed by the researcher and an informed decision made as to which is the most appropriate for the aims of the investigation.
Considerations and possible limitations
Technique three: Measuring longshore drift
Aims
1. Observing swash and backwash, and transport of material
Equipment Methodology
Similar results can be obtained if the distance travelled by the object is recorded over a specified time, for example five minutes.
Considerations and possible limitations

Tidal and wind conditions, the size and weight of float used and the slope angle of the beach may all affect measurements

Take note of the wind speed and direction on the day the fieldwork is undertaken as this may affect the speed at which the float is transported. This is particularly important if further sampling for the investigation is undertaken on another day

Obstructions to the movement of float, for example rocky outcrops, may affect results.

Floats may be lost during the investigation. Repeated experiments or the use of more than one marker can reduce this problem

Floats should be placed in the water ahead of the start line to allow them to settle prior to recording, and avoid giving the floats extra momentum

The float should lie low in the water to ensure that it is not influenced by the wind

The measuring should be undertaken in an area where there are no swimmers or paddlers for safety reasons and to ensure the reliability of results

Any anomalies should be recorded, for example obstructions which may affect the movement of the float

Weather and sea conditions can have a dramatic affect on observations

Using data within an investigation

Data would not be used in isolation, but in conjunction with other data collected as supporting evidence

Most commonly used when comparing managed and unmanaged stretches of coastline, particularly the impact of management techniques on transport processes within the sediment cell

2. Investigating the impact of groynes on the movement of sediment
Equipment Methodology

1. Using the compass, identify and record the aspect of each side of the groyne, for example the western and eastern side of each groyne

2. Use the meter ruler to measure from the top of the groyne to the surface of the sediment on each side

3. Take digital pictures to illustrate differences in sediment levels

4. Repeat for each groyne, or identify and use a suitable sampling strategy if there are too many groynes to sample them all

Considerations and possible limitations

Measurements should be taken at the same point along the length of each groyne, and tidal conditions and safety are therefore a consideration when undertaking this fieldwork

Care should be taken to ensure that the metre ruler doesn't sink into the sand, and that it is held straight

Using the data within an investigation
Technique four: Cliff surveys
Aims Equipment

Plain paper, pencil and rubber for sketch

Geological guides

Secondary evidence, for example photographs, maps, newspaper cuttings

Tape measure

Clinometer

Methodology Cliff height
Cliff sketch
A detailed sketch of the physical and human features of the cliffs at predetermined sampling points. Once cliff height has been established, the sketch can be drawn reasonably accurately to scale. Observations and annotations should be made of:

Obvious features, for example high tide level, caves, wave-cut notch, wave-cut platform, gullying

Basic geology (can be added later)

Structure, for example bedding planes and joints, folding and faulting

Conservation considerations, for example nesting birds, other animals

Type of vegetation and any evidence of effect on erosion

Evidence of erosion or mass movement, for example slumping, rock falls

Human activity, for example built structures, management/protection measures, recreational activities

Photographic evidence can also be used to support and reinforce sketches.

Considerations and possible limitations

Be aware of the safety implications of working close to cliffs, it can be dangerous

It is important to consider the sampling strategy, where to carry out cliff surveys and how many to do - before the investigation is started

There may be some user error when taking readings with a clinometer, and the sophistication of models of clinometer can vary enormously

Using the data within an investigation

Cliff profiles can be used in conjunction with other data collected to examine relationships between different variables, for example beach profiles or sediment analysis

An investigation could examine the links between the beach morphology, sediment and cliff features

An investigation could examine the links between the geology of the cliffs and beach material or movement

It is possible to compare different stretches of coastline with different geologies to see how they vary in terms of geology, sediment and beach morphology

Secondary data, for example historical maps, photographs or articles from local newspapers or websites can be used to examine recession rates. Predictions could be made for future rates of cliff recession, alongside suggestions for future management

A study of the range of different techniques used to manage the cliffs could highlight costs and benefits as well as potential impacts on physical processes and human activity. Each technique could be assessed in terms of its effectiveness at reducing rates of recession

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Royal Geographical Society - Geography resources for teachers

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These techniques can be used in the traditional way to study and analyse coastal processes and landforms. Alternatively, why not update your fieldwork slightly to investigate one of the topical and relevant issues in the list below, using the same set of techniques.

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Coastal Management Issues in the Barcelona region

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Article from David Holmes - excellent ideas

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Article from David Holmes - excellent ideas

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Coasts2 article unpublished david holmes.docx

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Coasts. This section guides you through a fieldwork investigation into coastal processes, landforms and management.

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North Devon AONB - what are issues?

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Welcome to North Devon Coast AONB | North Devon Coast

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The North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a stunning coastal area which is nationally protected for the beauty of its landscape. It is at the heart of North Devon's UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and covers 171 km sq of the coastal landscape from Marsland Mouth on the Cornish border to Combe Martin on the boundary of Exmoor National Park.

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Effectiveness of natural protection

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Article on effectiveness natural defences.pdf

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Sand dunes