7.1 Geographical Issues in the Coastal Environment

1. Describe how the settlement pattern of Australia is related to issues in the coastal environment?

  - 85% of the Australian population is situated within 50 km's of the coast. this densely populated area has affected the coastal environment in ways such as pollution, tourism, recreational pressures, infrastructure and so on. this settlement pattern is a direct link to the issues that the coastal environment raises.

2. Why is the sustainable development of the coastline the aim of coastal management strategies?

 - because many different groups of people are associated with the coast and coastal areas. these groups include residents, tourists, and many different commercial-related activities. and because so much of the Australian population lives along the coast, organisation is a vital aspect of the population.

3. What trend has been labelled 'sea change'?

 - "sea change" is the term given to the process where people move from larger cities to smaller coastal towns and villages where the lifestyle is more relaxed.

4. Describe one government response to 'sea change'.

 - the government has imposed - in some towns along the coast - a population ceiling or a residential cap that will contribute to the effort of not overpopulating and overdeveloping the area.

5. Select four of the geographical issues facing the coastal environment presented in this unit. For each issue identify the human actions that cause the issue.

 - population growth - the current Australian trend of people who are moving closer to the coast has cause a rise in infrastructure and over development in certain areas. tourism and recreational pressures - the coast being a very popular place for tourists and residents alike has led to the increase of recreational activities such as beach 4 wheel driving. pollution - from people situated near urban developments along the coastline. the ignorance and lack of respect for the environment from humans has led to the damage of the natural ecosystems situated along the coast. inappropriate development - the greed individual humans have, to get better views and lifestyles along the coastline has led to the destruction of the natural habitat and beauty of the area.

6. What role do geographers play in developing management solutions to issues in coastal environments?

 - geographers play the role of determining the sustainability of developments and ensuring the sustainabe use of the coastline. geographers need to take into consideration the natural habitats and ecosystems and need to find the balance between whats right and wrong when developing these managment strategies.

7. Study the inappropriate development image. Select one of the viewpoints below and write a letter to the local paper about the advantages and/or disadvantages of the development.
      a. a resident of one of the new developments shown in the picture
      b. a long-time local resident of the area who appreciates the coastal views

 

 - dear editor,

i am appaled by the amount of development has been brought to this village. the scerenity and beauty this location once had to offer had been destroyed by your resorts, traffic and thirst for money and buisness. i am a long time local resident of the area, my family has lived here for generations. this increase in population and overdevelopment has led to the destruction of the natural habitat and the surrounding ecosystem. at this rate if the country doesnt put a stop to this kind of development there won't be any coastline left. its too late to stop this dreadful crime against nature in this area but its not too late to help other communities who are like ours in the past. i will do everything i can to do this and stop the destruction.i will also strive to help keep - in other parts of the country - the natural habititat in the form it should be - untouched...

regards matthew nelson