- Longshore drift from the west.
- River sediment from the River Exe.
- Sediment moved inshore from offshore sand banks.
This section of coastline is extremely important for several reasons:
- COMMUNICATIONS- the main London to Penzance railway line passes through this section of coast.
- TOURISM- up to 20 000 people vist Dawlish Warren per day in peak holiday season.
- SPECIALISED RECREATION- Dawlish Warren has an 18 hole golf course.
- GENERAL RECREATION- numerous activities including swimming, fishing, windsurfing, walking, etc.
- CONSERVATION- the spit is an internationally valuable habitat for birds and plants. It is an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest)as well as an NNR (National Nature Reserve).
- COASTAL PROTECTION- the spit is a giant natural breakwater, protecting low lying areas of the Exe estuary behind it, from waves and flooding.
- BUSINESS- over 40 local businesses rely on visitors to this area, e.g. cafes, gift shops, etc.
The aim of the fieldtrip will be to investigate the following:
- COASTAL DEFENCE
- BEACH PROFILES
- SAND DUNES
- TOURISM Vs NATURE CONSERVATION
This section of the project will study the main Coastal Defences that are visible on the Dawlish Warren coastline. I will be looking at:
The groynes are situated on the beach spaced 100-200m apart. They defend the beach against longshore drift that could cause the beach to be swept slowly away. The groynes stop the beach sediment and sand from moving down the beach, therefore keeping the beach securely placed.
The sea wall is used as a barrier between the tide and the railway, and other human processes. The wall blocks the stronger, bigger waves from reaching and damaging the main Plymouth-London railway line.
Rip Rap is when large rocks are place piled up at the base of the sea wall to reduce the damage each large wave causes by breaking the force of it.
Dawlish Warren suffers from many natural processes:
…being the main 2.
Erosion is the process by which the rocks and other landforms are eroded away by the fore of the waves. The Langstone rock is severely affected by erosion. Caves and pressure cracks are clearly visible on the surface of the rock, and the waves forming undercutting on the side of the rock nearest to the shoreline. These observations are problems that will soon become worse. The coves will turn into arches, (visible on the Dawlish Warren beach side of the rock), and then when the arch collapses a stack will be left.
Deposition is another key natural process that influences the natural landforms. Dawlish Warren was formed by the deposition of large amounts of sediment to create the spit. The longshore drift also deposits large amounts of sand and sediment on the beach, but this is protected by the groynes.
