Chapter 1: Coastal system dynamics – flows of energy
1.1 Coasts as open systems
1.2 Energy inputs – waves, tides and currents
1.3 Feedback, equilibrium and coasts
1.4 Evaluating the issue: Assessing the relative importance of energy sources in the coastal system
Chapter 2: Coastal system dynamics – processes at work in the coastal zone
2.1 Marine erosional processes
2.2 Sub-aerial weathering and mass movement
2.3 Sources and types of coastal sediment
2.4 Transport and depositional processes in the coastal zone
2.5 Evaluating the issue: To what extent is wave energy the most significant influence on sediment transport in the coastal zone?
Chapter 3: Contrasting coastlines
3.1 Coastlines in plan
3.2 High energy coasts – marine cliffs and shore platforms
3.3 Low energy coasts – beaches in plan and profile
3.4 Low energy coasts – estuaries and deltas
3.5 Evaluating the issue: To what extent are marine cliffs the result of erosion?
Chapter 4: Ecosystems in coastal environments
4.1 Recognising the value of coastal ecosystems
4.2 Ecological succession
4.3 Types of coastal ecosystems
4.4 Evaluating the issue: Evaluate the role of vegetation in the development of marine dune systems
Chapter 5: The implications of human activity along coastlines
5.1 Economic activity and coastal water quality
5.2 The management of coastal water quality
5.3 The threat of erosion to coastal settlements
5.4 The pressures placed on coastal ecosystems by human activities
5.5 Evaluating the issue: Conflicting needs and views of coastal stakeholders
Chapter 6: The significance of coasts to human activities
6.1 The growth in population and settlements in coastal zones
6.2 Resources in the coastal zone
6.3 The importance of the coastal zone in the globalisation process
6.4 Evaluating the issue: To what extent is technological change responsible for altering the way coastal zone resources are viewed?
Chapter 7: Coastal risk, resilience and management
7.1 Risks to human activities along coastlines
7.2 Managing for resilience – hard- and soft-engineering
7.3 Planning for coastal change
7.4 Evaluating the issue: ‘The construction of hard coastal defences causes as many problems as it solves.’ Discuss.
Chapter 8: Study guide