GVMCEM: Coastal and Estuarine Management

Module code: GVMCEM

Module provider: Geography and Environmental Science; School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science

Credits: 20

Level: 7

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Jonathan Dale , email: j.j.dale@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module will give students the opportunity to explore changes in coastal and estuarine environments in response to sea level rise, climate change, and anthropogenic pressures. Students will explore the processes driving the formation and evolution of coastal  and estuarine environments, the geomorphic and hydrodynamics response to external forcing mechanisms, and the consequences for the natural and anthropogenic environments. Students will evaluate the strategies implemented to manage coastal environments, and will be encouraged to critically evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different coastal management approaches in relation to future coastal and climatic change. 

Module learning outcomes

On completion of this module it is expected that a student will be able to: 

• Demonstrate an in depth understanding of the importance of, and interactions between, different: spatial and temporal scales, forcing mechanisms, landforms, habitats.  
• Critically evaluate the role of humans, climate, sea level, morphology and hydrodynamics as drivers of change within coastal and estuarine environment. 
• Develop a detailed understanding of methods of assessing both historic and future coastal and estuarine change. 
• Discuss and analyse critically the suitability of different coastal defence and management schemes. 

Module content

This module will cover geomorphological, sedimentological and hydrological processes found within coastal and estuarine environments, for example saltmarshes, mangroves, beaches and barriers, at multiple spatial and temporal scales. The associated methods of assessing change at these scales is considered, as are the forcing mechanisms and drivers of change such as waves, tides and sea level change. Temporal change because of these processes will be evaluated, from the Late Quaternary to modern day, with a focus on the impact of future change on the natural and anthropogenic environment. This is discussed in terms of the value and importance of coastal environments, and the range of different groups of people with an interest in coastal environments and how they are managed. Different approaches to coastal management, based on the different process and infrastructure involved, forms an important part of this modules, with different scenarios and case studies evaluated. This module also provides students with the opportunity to visit a coastal management scheme to develop a detailed understanding of the design, implementation and limitations of different approaches. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Students will encounter a wide range of T&L methods on this module. Key theories and concepts will be delivered during lectures. Learning will be applied in class and in the field. 

Study hours

At least 37 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.