How do humans influence and manage coastal environments? ‘Focus of this units + Coastal environment in Hong Kong + Coastal protection measures in Hong + Human impacts on the coastal environment in Kong: Soft strategies Hong Kong * Continuing challenge of managing coastal + Coastal protection measures in Hong Kong: environments Hoard strategies A Whatis the coastal environment in Hong Kong © tstook 105 1 Hong Kong has many offshore islands, such as Cheung Chau and Lamma Island, and an indented coastline with a (narrow / broad) belt of coastal land 2 Complete the description in Figure L to show the general coastal environment in Hong Kong, Im genera, lowlving and (erosional / depositional) Rugged and (erosional depositional) coastlines found in the westem part coastlines mainly foundin the eastern part ~ fe saniy beac — Enon ee ety inayat) ‘Theres modified and redaimed coastline for turban development Figure 1 9B_ How does human activity influence the coastal environment in Hong Kong? __ and activities, and the pmpect! ‘the marine ecosystem removal of marine habitats, such as Limitation + Involves high costs + Straight coastline, reclaimed landscape and scenery look unnatural and unattractive Speed of water eurrent (W/4¥)as the harbour becomes narrower > Affects the safety of navigation + Causes___ pollution in coastal waters at reclaimed sites as human activities are concentrated > Improper discharge of sewage > Kills marine life mangroves and coral reef for building recreational facilities, and ‘may damage marine habitats (Credit: Sburel/Dreamstime) + Excessive boating activities may cause animals and distur marine + Causes water and land pollution as there isa great number of tourists and© Howdo people in Hong Kong protect the coast? Sona ed. Boenncesit mown main nen mata gee any 1 Neatly all reclaimed sites in Hong Kong are intensively used, There are also many buildings and infrastructure builtin some natural coastal arcas. Therefore, the economic value of the coastal land is very (low / high ). 2. Wave erosion can cause loss of life and property in unprotected coastal areas. In order to protect the buildings and infrastructure in the coastal areas fom wave erosion, different coastal protection measures are adopted. Like flood control measures, these measures can be classified into. and. strategies. 3. Complete the table on pp. 61-63 to show how coastal protection measures work, and their benefits and limitations. You may refer (othe measures listed below to complete the table. Breakwaters, Rock armour/Rip-rap Gabions Sea walls Beach nourishment Limitation’ Measure Benefit/Advantage Disadvantage 1 + Strong and durable | + Expensive to build and + Concrete walls placed parallel to | « Efficient and effective | "=i" ie = 5a ___ by waves makes the wall less + Can deflect and reflect waves dissipating wave eacieene aoe lurable. The wall may eventually collapse if + Provides reereational Sree maintenance is not areas, such as a carried out ql E i a promenade | + Ustad ean bean | + Helps protect coastal ak eyesore structures from coastal aD_ How does the management of coastal environments pose a continuing challenge for us? % nw» 1-4 1 Hard versus soft strategies Both hard and soft strategies have advantages and limitations. Itis not easy to strike a balance between the different concerns involved in choosing these measures. Therefore, itis important to.apply the principles of, development to coastal management practices. 2 Threats eaused hy climate change (Climate change may lead to arise in levels and more and stronger typhoons. This ;poses threat to our coastal environment. Complete the flow chat below to show how climate ‘change causes threats to our coastal environment. Climate change a rn ising sea levels “Amount and intensity of yphoons (78/V) a Amount and height of storm surges (4*/ ) oH Coastal flooding (44/Y) fe Destroys coastal defense