Land-Use Pressures on Coastlines (DP IB Geography)
Revision Note
Written by: Grace Bower
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Land Use Pressures & Conservation Measures
Land-use pressure in coastal areas
Coastlines are subject to land-use pressure
Various stakeholders use the coastline differently:
Residents – living comfortably in the area without disturbance
Farmers or fishermen – farming and fishing industries (commercial or subsistence)
Business people – developing tourist industry and other coastal businesses
Industry officials and workers – for factory work or quarrying
Port authorities – managing the port area
Transport companies – maintaining travel networks
Wildlife – living safely without human interference
Environmentalists and conservationists – maintaining and protecting habitats and vegetation (speaking on behalf of wildlife)
Tourists – using the beauty of the coastline area for recreation
Developers – building up the coastline for tourism and residential purposes
Governments and councils – protecting and maintaining the coastline
The views of these stakeholders may conflict, especially when decisions by one stakeholder negatively affect another
All stakeholders need the coastline in some way, so they compete with each other
A conflict matrix can show where and how much conflict there is in relation to each other
An example of a conflict matrix at the coast
Land-use pressure and conflicts
Stakeholder activity | Land-use pressure | Conflicts |
|---|---|---|
Tourism | Coastal areas attract tourists with their natural beauty and recreation opportunities Tourism requires the development of hotels and entertainment facilities Tourism puts pressure on the coastline, e.g. pollution, littering, overcrowding, resource pressure, destruction of habitats, congestion Tourists argue that coastal maintenance is important to keep tourist access available | Locals and environmentalists conflict with tourists over sustainability and conservation |
Industry and development | Coastal environments have industrial uses They are home to industrial activity like energy production, e.g. oil, and gas refineries, quarrying Coastlines house shipping areas and ports Industrial activities are unsightly, cause pollution, eutrophication, and degradation of natural areas and habitats Urbanisation development increases pressure on the coastline e.g. new housing, car parks, transportation routes and other necessary infrastructure | Can cause conflicts with locals and environmentalists Tourists may conflict with industrial developers |
Residents and housing | Many residents live in coastal areas, from city commuters to retirees Residents and locals of coastal areas are against large tourist and industrial activity Some locals worry about coastal erosion and flooding, and focus their attention on pushing for coastal management | Locals may conflict with tourists, industry developers and advocates for “do-nothing” management strategies |
Agriculture and fishing | Fishing in coastal environments is some people’s livelihood Fishing industries require processing areas, transport routes and other resources This can cause overfishing and pollution Coastal areas are also home to agricultural activity This can result in fertiliser, pesticide and animal waste pollution, land reclamation and coastal squeeze, overuse of the land and habitat destruction | Locals and environmentalists conflict with farmers and fishermen |
Coastal management | Coastal management is a vital tool for protecting coastlines from erosion and flooding There are both advantages and disadvantages to hard and soft engineering strategies There are both winners and losers. Some stakeholders will benefit and some will be negatively affected by management strategies | Conflicts can arise between winners and losers |
Conservation measures | Environmentalists and conservationists work to protect coastal habitats and ecosystems Protection and preservation of the environment is a top priority | Conflicts can arise between environmentalists and those wishing to exploit or freely use the coastline e.g. industries, tourists and local residents |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Make sure you learn about who conflicts with whom. Are locals angry at industries? Are environmentalists angry at tourists? You might be asked to discuss the conflicting opinions of coastal areas.
Case Study: Dorset Coast
Dorset, UK
Dorset is located in south-west England
It is part of the Jurassic Coast
It became a World Heritage Site in 2001
Map of the Jurassic Coast
Uses of the Dorset Coast
Stakeholders use the Dorset Coast in different ways
Each stakeholder has a different role on the coastline
Conflicts have arisen between stakeholders
Each stakeholder has a role in minimising conflicts between other stakeholders
Outcomes of conflict strategies may be effective or ineffective
Tourism
Water sports are common in this area e.g. swimming, yachting and windsurfing.
There are footpaths along the coast for tourists with points of geographical interest e.g. famous coastal landforms like Durdle Door, Old Harry etc.
Military
The military/army uses part of the coastline for training e.g. Lulworth Army Range
Environmentalists/wildlife
There is rich biodiversity of the coastal landscape
It is famous for bird-watching sites and Nature Reserves
Heritage
There are historical areas e.g. Corfe Castle, Tom Hardy’s old cottage
These attract tourists but are vital for maintaining the historical importance of the area
Locals and farmers
Many people inhabit the coast
Roughly 750,000 people live in the Dorset area
Industry
Quarrying takes place along the coast
Conflicts and outcomes
Role of stakeholder in land-use pressure | Outcomes |
|---|---|
Environmentalists and locals conflict with tourists Tourism brings issues like pollution, congestion, footpath erosion, littering and sand dune damage Second homeowners cause problems with housing affordability and cause service closures in off-peak seasons | Better management of land e.g. National Trust/Dorset Wildlife Trust maintain the footpaths Improved transport e.g. trains, cycle paths and bus routes to reduce congestion Better education for tourists and eco-responsibility (leaflets, posters) Stricter punishment for littering e.g. fines Litter picking projects The government supports home ownership schemes to reduce the number of second homes World Heritage means that there are stricter development rules, reducing dangerous development plans Revegetation at Sites of Special Scientific Interest to protect sand dunes Nature Reserve label to increase protection of and funding for wildlife and vegetation |
Tourists, locals and farmers may conflict with the military Military noise can be a problem for livestock Certain areas forbid tourists | Zoning areas to separate activities and allow tourists to access the area Improved signage to make tourists and locals more aware of when military drills or testing occur |
Tourists, farmers, locals and environmentalists conflict with industry (quarrying) Vehicles used for industry are loud and heavy, can damage roads and cause congestion Dust from quarrying can choke vegetation Quarry blasting is loud (for locals and tourists) Quarrying can also increase the risk of coastal erosion, which is worrying for many stakeholders | Washing lorries before they leave the quarry site to remove dust Transport materials via train, to avoid the road Plan vegetation to cover the eye-sore of quarry sites |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Make sure you understand the different conflicts in coastal areas. Be prepared to discuss how those conflicts can be reduced using a case study. You may need to think about how effective the outcomes are.
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