BIOLOGY 287 Study Guide - The Free Movement, Estuary, Red Tide
11 Dec 2014
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Beaches & dunes: accumulations of unconsolidated sand or gravel along the shore, high energy shorelines where sand is always on the move by waves, wind, currents, the free movement of sand absorbs the oceans" energy, dunes protect the coast from flooding, beaches are dynamic (always changing, important seasonal changes in the beach profile actually help protect coast. Barrier islands & spits: high energy ribbons of sand created by longshore drift, natural buffer zone: protect the mainland from wave erosion during storms, low lying, flood prone, easily eroded, migrate ( roll ) landward with rising sea level (overwash of dunes, unchecked development and greater demand for fresh water put coastal communities at risk in the face of rising sea level, shrinking area necessary for ground water recharge, threat of salt water intrusion, greater risk to life and property due to storm surge.
