System feedback in coastal landscapes
Equilibrium = the rate at which sediment is being added to the beach is equal to
the rate at which sediment is being removed from the beach, inputs and outputs
1.1 . How can coastal landscapes be viewedareas systems?
equal
1a. Coastal landscapes can be viewed as systems
Dynamic equilibrium = when equilibrium is disturbed and the system undergoes
Components of open systems self-regulation and changes its form in order to restore equilibrium, a state of
balance between continuing processes, this is an example of negative feedback
System = set of interrelated objects comprising components (stores) and
processes (links) that are connected together to form a working unit Negative feedback = an automatic response to change in a system that restores
equilibrium
Open system = energy and matter can be transferred from neighbouring
systems as an input as well as to neighbouring systems as an output e.g. Sediment cells
input of fluvial sediment from a river, as it deposits its load at the mouth
when available energy decreases Closed system = a system with inputs
and outputs of energy, but without
A coastal landscape system has: any movement of materials across
system boundaries, e.g. sediment cell
- Inputs
kinetic energy from wind and waves Sediment cell = stretch of coastline
thermal energy from the heat of the Sun and its associated nearshore area
potential energy from position of material on slopes; material within the movement of coarse
sediment, sand and shingle is largely
from marine deposition, weathering and mass movement from
self-contained
cliffs
90% = fluvial deposition Sediment doesn’t usually move
- Outputs between cells, however the
marine & wind erosion from beaches & rock surfaces; evaporation dissolved material doesn’t require
- Throughputs much energy so may move to the
next cell via suspension
stores, including beach and nearshore (shallow waters) sediment
accumulations
flows (transfers), movement of sediment along a beach by LSD 11 large sediment cells across the coast of England & Wales
Boundaries are determined by the topography and shape of coastline
Large physical features e.g. Lands End, act as huge natural barriers that
prevent the transfer of sediment to adjacent cells
It’s unlikely that they are completely closed because of: variations in
wind direction & presence of tidal currents
There are many sub-cells existing within major cells
Equilibrium = the rate at which sediment is being added to the beach is equal to
the rate at which sediment is being removed from the beach, inputs and outputs
1.1 . How can coastal landscapes be viewedareas systems?
equal
1a. Coastal landscapes can be viewed as systems
Dynamic equilibrium = when equilibrium is disturbed and the system undergoes
Components of open systems self-regulation and changes its form in order to restore equilibrium, a state of
balance between continuing processes, this is an example of negative feedback
System = set of interrelated objects comprising components (stores) and
processes (links) that are connected together to form a working unit Negative feedback = an automatic response to change in a system that restores
equilibrium
Open system = energy and matter can be transferred from neighbouring
systems as an input as well as to neighbouring systems as an output e.g. Sediment cells
input of fluvial sediment from a river, as it deposits its load at the mouth
when available energy decreases Closed system = a system with inputs
and outputs of energy, but without
A coastal landscape system has: any movement of materials across
system boundaries, e.g. sediment cell
- Inputs
kinetic energy from wind and waves Sediment cell = stretch of coastline
thermal energy from the heat of the Sun and its associated nearshore area
potential energy from position of material on slopes; material within the movement of coarse
sediment, sand and shingle is largely
from marine deposition, weathering and mass movement from
self-contained
cliffs
90% = fluvial deposition Sediment doesn’t usually move
- Outputs between cells, however the
marine & wind erosion from beaches & rock surfaces; evaporation dissolved material doesn’t require
- Throughputs much energy so may move to the
next cell via suspension
stores, including beach and nearshore (shallow waters) sediment
accumulations
flows (transfers), movement of sediment along a beach by LSD 11 large sediment cells across the coast of England & Wales
Boundaries are determined by the topography and shape of coastline
Large physical features e.g. Lands End, act as huge natural barriers that
prevent the transfer of sediment to adjacent cells
It’s unlikely that they are completely closed because of: variations in
wind direction & presence of tidal currents
There are many sub-cells existing within major cells
