A ranger prepared Fig. 1 after a dune-management enquiry at a beach backed by farmland. The figure shows a cross-section from the high-water mark inland. Ma...
Question 1 Report
A ranger prepared Fig. 1 after a dune-management enquiry at a beach backed by farmland. The figure shows a cross-section from the high-water mark inland. Marram grass has been planted on the first large ridge, and a fenced path directs visitors away from fragile vegetation. The ranger wants students to use the resource booklet figure to consider how wind, plants and people shape a sandy coastal landscape. Arrows show the main direction in which dry sand is blown.
(a) Identify the landform made of wind-blown sand shown in Fig. 1. [1]
(b) Describe how marram grass helps the dune grow. [2]
(c) State three effects of repeated trampling outside the fenced path. [3]
(d) Explain why fencing and planting are examples of sustainable coastal management. [6]
Answer Details
(a) The wind-blown sand landform is a sand dune or dune system. [1]
(b) Marram leaves reduce wind speed, causing sand to be deposited. Its roots bind and trap sand, stabilising the growing dune. [2]
(c) Repeated trampling damages vegetation, exposes bare sand, increases wind erosion, widens paths and makes dunes less stable. Any three gain credit. [3]
(d) Fencing keeps walkers on a defined route and reduces trampling of plants. Planting marram stabilises sand naturally, reducing wind-blown sand and erosion. Stable dunes form a natural buffer against waves and flooding. These methods have lower visual and financial costs than hard engineering, so they protect both the environment and coastal users over time. [6]
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