Landscape Systems: Coasts 3 days

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1 AS Level Geography Edexcel Landscape Systems: Coasts 3 days Deliver two days of fieldwork within an inspiring physical environment covering all the recommended themes in depth. Prepare AS level students for Section C in paper 1, worth 10% of their total marks. Cover a choice of physical specification content for AS fieldwork in Topic 2: Coastal Landscapes and Change. For those going on to A level, this course will contribute two of the four days of fieldwork requirements and provide contextualised learning in inspiring real world environments to develop their geographical understanding for the A level examinations.

2 Example Course Timetable DAY MORNING AFTERNOON EVENING 1 Arrive Midday Students will be greeted by FSC staff, with a welcome talk followed by a brief tour of the Centre and the local area. Coastal Landscapes Outline of the Course Allocation of wellies/waterproofs. By visiting a local coastline students will develop an understanding of the distinctive coastal features and begin to consider the systems that form the coast. Sediment transportation and deposition create distinctive landforms; students will investigate the underlying causes such as angle of wave attack, tidal flow and the process of longshore drift. Coastal Fieldwork Methods Students will follow up their fieldwork on sediment transportation by conducting a Students T test, as well considering the wider aspects of coastlines. Alternative fieldwork methods that could be employed to investigate other aspects of coastal environments will be introduced including a coastal (ecosystem) transect. 2 Formation of Erosional Coastal Landforms A full fieldwork day collecting primary data to build an in depth understanding of the erosional features of the chosen coast. The impact of wind, waves and local geology all play a part in creating the unique features that are present at any location. Students will consider how different wave types influence beach morphology and sediment profiles, taking into account seasonal changes using secondary data. Changing Coastal Sediments Changing Coastal Profiles Interpretation, Analysis and Evaluation - Coastal Landforms Students will consider the importance of erosional processes in the formation of coastal landforms. They will use measures of central tendency to classify waves and assess the impact that these have on the landforms and coastal landscape. 3 Managing Coastal Risks The sustainable management of a local coastline will be considered within the current risks of coastal recession and flooding. Assessing how a local stretch of coastline is managed to reduce risk, via hard and soft engineering and the extent of its success will evaluated through a range of techniques. Success of Coastal Management Approaches Depart at Midday A final farewell from FSC staff as the students depart at midday. Please note: to ensure safe and quality learning experiences for students, the timetable may alter depending on weather conditions and local factors at Centres.

3 Coastal Landscapes By recreating a naturally functioning shoreline we free ourselves from the sea defence cycle of construct, fail and reconstruct. This must surely be more cost effective in the long run and more desirable in terms of maintaining the coast s natural beauty. It does mean making some tough choices, but we can t just store up the problems for future generations to deal with The National Trust Coastal landscape systems are some of the most dynamic and fascinating in the UK, showcasing the complex and finely balanced interactions between land, atmosphere and ocean. Coasts can be beautiful, diverse, hospitable and hostile places, they offer rich habitat for a wealth of terrestrial and marine life, and are a part of the global landscape under increasing pressure from human development and climate change. They provide a scintillating backdrop to explore contemporary geographies, our place in a changing world, and the future of human and physical systems on the edge. Students will visit a local coastal landscape and will be given the opportunity to investigate the distinctive features of this landscape. Recording an overview of the landscape including the landforms creating it, and the sources of energy and sediment within it. Students will: Carry out sediment analysis, to include pebble size and shape, which will then be linked to the coastal processes active in the area. Use sketches and/or photographs to record the landscape and distinctive landforms that create it. Use secondary data to interpret long term wind patterns.

4 Coastal Fieldwork Methods In this evening session students will conclude their afternoon investigation into a coastal landscape with the completion of a student t-test on the pebble size and shape data. They will also devise an appropriate methodology to investigate a coastal ecosystem using a sampling transect. GIS and satellite interpretation will be used to map the variety of coastal landscapes in the UK, providing a contextualised environment for the fieldwork completed.

5 Formation of Erosional Coastal Landforms In this session students will visit the same coastal landscape to gain detailed knowledge of the development of that coastline. They will investigate the different wave types and beach sediment profiles. Primary and secondary data collection and analysis might include: Collecting primary data on wind and waves, which may include measuring wind direction and strength and determining wave type. Beach profiles, to illustrate the action of longshore drift and/or erosion and consider what this means for the origin and development of landforms. Field sketches and/or annotated photographs of erosional landforms. Geology study, to include investigating the origin of material found on beaches and use of British Geological Society (BGS) maps to determine local and regional bedrock. Interpretation of the landscape with reference to evidence of sea level change in the area and the resultant landforms in the landscape. Cliff surveys including cliff height and cliff sketches to record erosional features and processes creating and modifying them. Statistical analysis of data. Use of GIS to map data, access located secondary data and analyse these data sets.

6 Interpretation, Analysis and Evaluation - Coastal Landforms Students will undertake the final stages of the geographical enquiry process focusing on: Data processing and presentation. Analysis and conclusions. Critically reflecting on the results. Using ICT they will collate and process the information from the day s fieldwork and present the information in an appropriate set of graphs, maps and tables. Students will work collaboratively to describe their findings, explain reasons for their results and suggest linkages between primary and secondary data. Appropriate statistics and mathematical techniques will be used to enable conclusions to be drawn. Finally students will critically reflect on the enquiry and the application the conclusions may have to other areas of study, including the accuracy, validity and reliability of the conclusions.

7 Managing Coastal Risks Coasts are dynamic, with the systems inputs, processes and outputs constantly shifting to balance. Management of coasts will often interrupt this balance and this session students will focus on a local coastal management case study. They will see examples of different approaches to management of coastal recession and flooding and have the opportunity to consider the reasons for management, and evaluate the appropriateness of management approaches. Students will: Research the Shoreline Management Plan for the local area to develop case study knowledge. Evaluate hard and soft engineering approaches using techniques such as cost-benefit analysis and bipolar evaluations. Use GIS to interrogate management cells to consider flood risk and land values. Consider the sustainability of coastal management with reference to future threats such as storm events and rising sea levels. Use secondary data to inform reasoning on the sustainability of coastal management.

8 FSC Centres Centres that offer this course CH DF FM JH MT MA NC OR RC SL Castle Head Dale Fort Flatford Mill Juniper Hall Malham Tarn Margam Nettlecombe Orielton Rhyd-y-creuau Slapton To book this course, simply: Choose the time of the year you would like to attend 1. Pick the Centre(s) of interest 2. Check availability online, contact head office to check availability across multiple Centres or contact the Centre(s) of your choice directly To book this course the minimum size of your group must be 12 students and one member of staff. Head Office contact details: Tel: