How do human activities have direct or indirect effects on coastal landscapes?

Coastal landscapes are constantly shaped not only by natural processes like erosion and deposition, but also by human activities. These can have both direct and indirect effects, which may be positive (e.g. protection, investment) or negative (e.g. erosion, pollution).

Let’s explore how development, agriculture, industry and coastal management each influence our coasts.

️Coastal Development

Coastal areas are attractive places to live and visit, but development comes at a cost.

Direct Effects

• The weight of buildings increases pressure on unstable cliffs, contributing to landslides.
• Hard surfaces (roads, pavements) reduce natural infiltration and increase surface runoff, speeding up coastal erosion.
• Coastal defences like sea walls are often built to protect housing and infrastructure, altering natural processes.

Indirect Effects

Tourism boosts local economies but also leads to:

• Increased traffic, noise, and litter pollution.
• Overcrowding and pressure on natural landscapes.
• Urban sprawl can destroy dunes and salt marshes, reducing natural coastal protection.

Agriculture

Farming is common in lowland coastal regions, but it can disturb natural coastal systems.

Direct Effects

• Deforestation and hedge removal for farmland reduce natural vegetation cover, leading to increased soil erosion and runoff into coastal waters.
• Grazing and trampling by livestock damage dune systems, weakening natural barriers.

Indirect Effects

• Fertilisers and chemicals washed into the sea contribute to eutrophication, harming marine life.
• Loss of farmland to erosion or flooding affects rural communities and food production.

Coastal Industry

Some industries, particularly those requiring cooling water or access to transportation, are situated near the coast.

Examples & Impacts

• Nuclear power stations (e.g. Hinkley Point) must be well protected from sea-level rise and storm surges. Any damage could have serious environmental consequences.
• Gas terminals (e.g. Easington, East Yorkshire) are vulnerable to rapid erosion, threatening energy supplies.
• Ports and shipping industries dredge seabeds and alter currents, affecting sediment transport and habitats.

Note: Not all industry has a direct impact, but the indirect environmental risks can be significant if coastal defences fail.

️Coastal Management

Coasts are often managed to protect people, property, and infrastructure. However, human intervention can have unintended consequences.

Hard Engineering
Sea walls, groynes, rip rap protect key areas, but:

• Interrupt longshore drift, leading to beach erosion downstream.
• They are visually intrusive and expensive to maintain.

Soft Engineering

Beach nourishment, planting vegetation, and cliff drainage help maintain natural processes.

• Generally, more sustainable and less disruptive.
• It may need frequent upkeep to remain effective.

Key Point: Managing one part of the coast can often cause problems elsewhere, making integrated coastal zone management essential.

Summary Table: Human Activities & Coastal Impacts