Coastal Ecosystems and Management Quiz

Identify a biotic factor that affects coastal ecosystems.

• Wind

• Plants

• Interception

• Temperature

Answer explanation

Plants are a biotic factor in coastal ecosystems as they provide habitat, food, and contribute to nutrient cycling. Unlike wind, interception, and temperature, which are abiotic factors, plants directly influence the biological community.

Identify the best definition of biological weathering.

• Where plant roots grow into cracks in the rocks.

• Where plants take over the coastal landscape.

• Where plant roots are damaged by rocks.

• Where wind causes erosion of rock.

Answer explanation

Biological weathering occurs when plant roots grow into cracks in rocks, causing them to break apart over time. This process is essential in soil formation and rock disintegration, making the first answer the best definition.

State one type of coastal mass movement.

• Landslide

• Erosion

• Deposition

• Sedimentation

Answer explanation

A landslide is a type of coastal mass movement where large amounts of earth material move down a slope due to gravity. Unlike erosion, deposition, and sedimentation, which involve material transport and accumulation, a landslide specifically refers to the rapid movement of land.

Explain one type of hard engineering that is used in coastal management.

• Beach nourishment

• Groynes

• Dune regeneration

• Managed retreat

Answer explanation

Groynes are structures built at right angles to the shore to trap sand and reduce erosion. They help maintain beach width by interrupting longshore drift, making them an effective hard engineering solution in coastal management.

Identify the factor that produces the occurrence of an earthquake.

• Ocean surface movement

• Tsunami wave formation

• Tectonic plate movement

• Average temperature change

Answer explanation

Earthquakes occur primarily due to tectonic plate movement. The Earth's lithosphere is divided into plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere. Their interactions, such as collisions or separations, generate seismic activity.

Identify a way to help plan for tropical cyclone hazards.

• Monitor earth movement with a seismograph.

• Satellite technology to track development of storms.

• Send emergency aid to countries that experience cyclones.

• Monitor any changes in groundwater levels.

Answer explanation

Satellite technology is crucial for tracking the development of storms, allowing for timely warnings and better preparedness against tropical cyclone hazards.

State one reason why people continue to live in areas at risk from natural hazard events.

• Lack of awareness

• Economic opportunities

• Cultural significance

• Government incentives

Answer explanation

People often live in hazard-prone areas due to economic opportunities, such as jobs and resources, which can outweigh the risks associated with natural hazards.

Explain one economic impact of a tropical cyclone hazard.

• Increase in tourism

• Rise in agricultural productivity

• Damage to infrastructure

• Growth in local businesses

Answer explanation

Tropical cyclones often cause significant damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and buildings. This destruction leads to costly repairs and can disrupt economic activities, making it a major economic impact.

Identify a suitable piece of equipment to measure beach gradient.

• Anemometer

• Quadrat

• Clinometer

• Stopwatch

Answer explanation

A clinometer is specifically designed to measure angles of slope, making it ideal for assessing beach gradient. The other options, like anemometers and quadrats, serve different purposes and are not suitable for this measurement.

Name one type of sampling method.

• Random sampling

• Systematic sampling

• Stratified sampling

• All of the above

Answer explanation

All of the options listed are valid sampling methods. Random sampling, systematic sampling, and stratified sampling are all techniques used to select samples from a population, making 'All of the above' the correct choice.