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Costs and benefits of management strategies

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Learning outcome

I can explain different types of coastal management strategies and evaluate their costs and benefits.

Key learning points

  1. Coastal management aims to protect communities and environments.
  2. There are two main types of coastal management strategy.
  3. Different stakeholders may have different views on coastal management.

Keywords

  • Value - how important an area is either socially, economically or environmentally

  • Hard engineering - using artificial structures to protect coastlines from erosion and flooding

  • Soft engineering - making use of natural processes to reduce erosion and flooding in a way that minimies environmental impact

  • Stakeholder - any groups or individuals involved in or interested in changes being made at the coast

Common misconception

Managed retreat is when the land is allowed to erode without any direction.

Managed retreat allows for certain areas to erode or flood in a controlled manner. This approach is often chosen for low value land, where it can create natural habitats and reduce long term maintenance costs.

Teacher tip

The lesson in this unit called 'Using GIS to visualise the impact of physical and human processes on coasts' could be used to extend this lesson.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
 (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is coastal erosion?

Correct answer: The process by which coastal land is worn away by natural forces.
The process of adding sand to beaches.
The process of building structures along the coast.

Q2.
What is longshore drift?

Sudden erosion of sand by strong offshore winds.
Formation of waves that move directly toward the shore.
Correct answer: Waves moving along the beach at an angle, carrying sediment.

Q3.
What is sustainability?

Development focusing solely on current needs.
Correct answer: Development meeting current needs without compromising future generations.
Development ignoring future implications.

Q4.
What is the significance of cost and benefit analysis?

Correct answer: To evaluate the economic implications of strategies.
To ignore environmental impacts.
To only focus on social aspects.

Q5.
How is a spit formed?

1 - Longshore drift moves sand along the coast.
2 - Sand accumulates where the coastline changes direction.
3 - Deposits extend outwards, forming a narrow strip of sand.
4 - The spit continues to grow as more sediment is deposited.
5 - A curved end forms due to wave refraction or current changes.

Q6.
What is an impact of climate change on coastal erosion?

Correct answer: Rising sea levels increase shoreline erosion.
Reduced wind causes less wave activity.
Decreased rainfall prevents sediment movement.
Stronger tides reduce erosion along coastlines.

Assessment exit quiz

Download exit quiz questions (PDF)

4 Questions

Q1.
What is managed retreat in coastal management?

Building barriers to stop waves from reaching the coast.
Correct answer: Relocating people and structures away from the coast.
Planting vegetation to stabilise sandy beaches.
Strengthening existing structures against erosion.

Q2.
What best describes hard engineering in coastal management?

Correct answer: Building structures to resist wave action and erosion.
Using natural materials to stabilise the coast.
Enhancing habitats to protect coastal ecosystems.
Creating policies for sustainable land use.

Q3.
What is a common concern of environmentalists regarding coastal management?

Increased access to beaches for the public.
Correct answer: Loss of natural habitats due to construction.
Enhanced biodiversity from new projects.
Improved water quality in coastal areas.

Q4.
What is a positive aspect of using groynes in coastal management?

They prevent all types of coastal erosion completely.
They create new habitats for marine life in the area.
Correct answer: They increase the width of beaches by trapping sand.
They require no maintenance once installed.

To help you plan your 10 geography lesson on: Costs and benefits of management strategies, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...