Coastal Management Vocabulary List

constructive waves- small low-energy waves that deposit sand onto beaches
corrasion- occurs when waves crash over rock shelves and more rock and other material helping to erode the rock shelf away
corrosion- the action of salt on minerals like iron that are contained in rock, weakening the rock an making it more susceptible to erosion
deposition- the depositing of sand and rock particles caused by wind and wave action forming features such as beaches
destructive waves- large waves formed by tropical cyclones and storms that erode material from beaches
erosion- the removal of rock and sand particles as a result of wind and wave action fetch- the distance that wind travels over the ocean to form waves
foredune- the closest dune to the ocean or the first dune in a sand dune system
hydraulic action- where waves enter cracks in rocks, air is compressed by the force of the water causing erosion and forming features such as blow holes
longshore drift- the process, caused by waves hitting the coast at an angle, that is responsible for moving sand along the coast
refraction- the bending of waves around headlands
surf and swash zone- the active part of the coast in terms of erosion and deposition of sand by wave action; the surf zone is immediately adjacent to the coast and the swash zone is at the shore once the waves have broken.
vegetation succession- the natural progression of vegetation from low-lying, salt-tolerant plants on the foredune, through to shrubs and established trees on the hind dunes.
wave height- the vertical distance between the trough and the peak of a wave wavelength- the horizontal distance between wave peaks
7.1
breakwaters- a protective structure of stone or concrete; extends from shore into the water to prevent a beach from washing away 
faecal coliform- a common pollutant in water
silting - Silt is soil or rock derived granular material of a grain size between sand and clay
tidal flushing - action of saltwater entering an estuary twice a day during the high tides
7.2
ground swell - a broad and deep undulation of the ocean
plunging waves - Plunging waves may occur mainly at low tide when the water on sandbanks is shallow, which means there is less water on which the waves can break.
spilling waves - Spilling waves occur when the crest tumbles down the front or face.
surging waves - A surging wave occurs where the sea is relatively deep until into the near-shore zone.
wind swell - waves generated by local winds
7.3
aeolian - A term applied to wind erosion or deposition of surface materials.
spinifex - A grass which grows in large, distinctive clumps or hummocks in the driest areas of central and western Australia.
7.4
dredging - Dredging is an excavation activity or operation usually carried out at least partly underwater, in shallow seas or fresh water areas with the purpose of gathering up bottom sediments and disposing of them at a different location.
erosion-accretion cycle
groynes - Fixed structures extending out from the seawall used to control erosion or promote deposition.
revegetation - is the process of replanting and rebuilding the soil of disturbed land
sea walls - aim to prevent erosion of the coast by providing a barrier which reflects wave energy

7.7
environmental impact study - is an assessment of the possible impact--positive or negative--that a proposed project may have on the environment, together consisting of the natural, social and economic aspects.
impact assessment - is "a process aimed at structuring and supporting the development of policies. It identifies and assesses the problem at stake and the objectives pursued. 
7.8
bitou bush - is an evergreen flowering shrub with glossy round leaves in the Asteraceae
marram grass -  a species of grass that is tolerant of dry, sand dune environments
noxious weed -  A weed specified by law as being especially undesirable, troublesome and difficult to control
7.9
anemometer - a gauge for recording the speed and direction of wind
hygrometer - measuring instrument for measuring the relative humidity of the atmosphere