Option B: Oceans and coastal margins

Option B: Oceans and coastal margins

1. Ocean-atmosphere interactions

• How physical processes link Earth's atmospheric and ocean systems

• The operation of ocean currents, including their distribution, nutrient and energy transfers and the importance of oceanic conveyor belts

• Atmosphere-oceanic interactions associated with El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and La Niña cycles and their climatic, environmental and economic effects

• Detailed examples of the geographic impacts of El Niño and La Niña

• The formation, distribution and physical impacts of hurricanes on coastal margins, including storm surges

• Case study of one hurricane and its impacts on coastal places and people

• The changing role of oceans as a store and source of carbon dioxide (CO2) and the impacts of ocean acidification on coral reefs

2. Interactions between oceans and coastal places

• How coastal places are shaped by their interactions with oceans

• Physical influences on coastal landscapes, including waves, tides, sediment supply, lithology, vegetation, subaerial processes and wave processes (littoral drift, hydraulic action and abrasion)

• The characteristics and formation of coastal landforms of erosion and deposition, including wave cut platform, cliff, stack, spit and beaches

• Advancing and retreating coastlines, including the role of isostatic and eustatic processes, and the associated landforms (relict cliff, raised beach, fjord)

• The role of coastal processes, wind and vegetation in sand dune development

3. Managing coastal margins

• The varying power of different stakeholders in relation to coastal margin management

• Coastal erosion and flooding management strategies, including cliff line stabilization and managed retreat

• One coastal management case study focused on the decision-making process and perspectives of different actors

• Conflicting land-use pressures on coastlines, including commercial land uses (tourism, industry and housing) and conservation measures

• One case study to illustrate the roles of, and outcomes for, coastal stakeholders

• Management of coral reefs and mangrove swamps, including different stakeholder perspectives on their use and value

• Detailed examples of both ecosystems and their issues

• Sovereignty rights of nations in relation to territorial limits along coastal margins and exclusive economic zones (EEZs)

4. Ocean management futures

• Future possibilities for managing the oceans as a global commons

• Causes and consequences of increasing demand for the abiotic resources of oceans, including minerals, oil and gas

• Trends in biotic resource use (fish and mammals) and the viability of alternatives to overfishing, including aquaculture, conservation areas and quotas

• Strengths and weaknesses of initiatives to manage ocean pollution, including local and global strategies for radioactive materials, oil and plastic waste

• The strategic value of oceans and sources of international conflict/insecurity, including the contested ownership and control of island, canals and transit choke points

• One contemporary geopolitical case study focusing on a contested ocean area

Synthesis (Sy), Evaluation (Ev) and Skills (Sk) opportunities

• How changes in one part of an ocean or coastal margin may bring spatial interactions with other parts/places [Sy]

• How ocean exploitation and management take place at varying scales [Sy/Ev]

• Varying perspectives on the costs, benefits and effectiveness of management [Ev]

  • How ocean and atmospheric systems, and their interactions, can be represented graphically [Sk]