From both the sedimentological and the geomorphological perspective, the underlying premise that marine spatial planning should closely complement and integrate with terrestrial spatial planning, river basin and coastal zone management planning systems might superficially appear sensible, but it is inherently problematic. The degree of dynamism and dynamic variability in the terrestrial environment, that is, at the earth surface–atmosphere interface, is in no way comparable in magnitude or frequency with that experienced at the water–sediment interface of the often highly mobile sea bed or within the overlying water column itself. Moreover, the hydrodynamic marine processes involved, such as bedload and suspended sediment transport, are fundamentally different from subaerial processes, thereby leading to challenges in integrating onshore and offshore planning systems. This essential process-based distinction leads to the suggestion, which is explored in this article, that marine spatial planning should be underpinned by some form of process-defined planning unit that is determined in scale by the nature of the intended development. In this regard, it is proposed that the flexible Process-Defined Management Unit approach, which has been introduced recently as an aid to sustainable coastal decision-making and to improve upon previous coastal zone management unit approaches, provides a basis that responds to difficulties already being recognized within marine spatial planning.
Abstract Sediment fingerprinting is an approach for the quantitative determination of sediment provenance (both spatial sources and types of sediment supply) over a range of temporal and spatial scales. Though widely adopted, studies often vary in their attention to the underlying assumptions and in their treatment of modelling uncertainty. A Bayesian approach to the multivariate problem of ‘unmixing’ sediment sources is reported, showing the significance of source group variability and source group sampling density to the accuracy of model output. The model produces results as median source group contributory coefficients (and associated 95% quantiles). The model was applied to environmental data obtained from selected soil erosion studies reported within the peer-reviewed literature. Good correspondence (r 2 =0.89) between reported mean source group contributory coefficients and median values were found when recalculated using the Bayesian analysis. However, confidence levels are highly variable, ranging from 2% to 97%. The robustness of any unmixing solution depends on factors such as the number of samples, the number of source groups and the variance of source group properties. It is concluded that ‘forensic-style’ investigations must recognize these uncertainties and be appropriately resourced to achieve tolerable accuracy and precision. The discussion considers additional confounding factors such as non-conservative tracer behaviour and enrichment/depletion during the sediment delivery process.
Despite the word ‘foreshore’ being in common usage relating to the coast, it has three distinct legal definitions in Great Britain. There are three property law regimes, English law in England and Wales, Scots law (feudal) in Scotland and Udal tenure in parts of Orkney and Shetland. These result in the boundaries between private property interests and public property interests lying in a different position on the beach area under each of these property regimes. This paper examines the physical extent of each of the foreshore definitions and highlights a number of associated issues that rely on these different boundaries fundamentally impacting upon the management of the coast.
Abstract In 1982 an unmetalled road was constructed in a Scottish Highland glen, Glen Ogle, crossing several left bank tributaries of the Ogle Burn, one of the main influents to Loch Earn. As a result, at least 1824 tonnes of sediment were deposited over an area of 4‐6 ha of loch bed in less than 2 months. This was over 20 times as much material by weight than had passed a temporary gauging station, near the confluence with the loch, during an earlier 12 month monitoring period. The mean thickness of the resultant deposit should, under normal circumstances, have taken some 20 to 25 years to accumulate. Thus, this study provides a quantified illustration of the potential impact of a specific human activity on the acceleration of erosion and deposition rates.
Scdimentological studies of a small ice‐contact proglacial lake at Briksdal. southwest Norway, have led to the discovery of two types of tubular traces developed on the surfaces of material collected in sediment traps. The traces are described and attributed, with certainty, to the burrowing activities of chironomid midge larvae.
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