This investigation focuses on an area of the west bank of the medina estuary on the Isle of Wight.

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Diana Scott                                                                                                     Geography Coursework

Introduction

This investigation focuses on an area of the west bank of the medina estuary on the Isle of Wight, located on fig. 0.1 + 0.2. The areas are located on the Medina Estuary one mile north of the town of Newport. I will be studying five areas along the bank;

  • Stag lane in the north
  • Dodnor creek
  • Dodnor hard
  • The Medina Valley Centre (MVC)
  • The Marine Transfer Facility (MTF)

This investigation will be studying the environmental quality of the areas along a transect from Stag lane to the MTF and how the changing land uses affect these areas. My title is as follows;

‘What is the impact of the changing human land uses on the environmental quality of the transect along the west bank of the Medina estuary from Stag lane to the MTF.’

It is expected that when studying this area that the differing land uses will each have their own individual impact on the surrounding environment. Along the transect the area closer to Newport (the MTF) is more industrial and so would be expected to have a more negative impact on the environment. Whereas to the other end of the transect, (Dodnor creek) industry is limited due to its SSI status, and so the negative impact of land uses on the environment are expected to be limited. The focus will also be placed on how the land uses have changed over the years to show how the area has developed and how it is likely to develop in the future.

This title was chosen as it is important to realise the effects of modern developments (changes of land use etc) and their effects on the environment, the abundance of wildlife and visual quality of the area. The effects need to be assessed so areas can be designated for conservation and plans for management decided.

 The study areas are also conveniently located near to the medina Valley centre where we were staying. My interests are in environmental and physical aspects of geography, so I have tried to incorporate this into my title, relating to section_______________ of the syllabus.

(DESCRIBE IT conservation (55) land use (170)

 

Fig.0.3 (map with areas studied circled and coloured according to key below.)

The title question is divided into three key questions.

Methodology

This methodology section contains a table for each key question. The tables will show what data is required to answer each question and why. It will show how the data collected e.g. primary or secondary and what method, any problems encountered and how they will be resolved. The last column shows how the data will be used in the study e.g. as a chlorepleth map or star diagrams in the next section.

Key question one-where is it and what is it like?

Key question two-what are the current land uses and how have they changed?

Key question three- How does the environmental quality vary along the transect? Is the management suitable for an environmental area?

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Analysis

The annotated photographs give a representative picture of what each area is like. The photos reinforce the colour description of the area on the map. The table below provides more detail as to the type of environment of each area.

 

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