Cuspate foreland

Because some cuspate forelands provide an important habitat for flora and fauna, effective management is required to reduce the impacts from both human activities and physical factors such as climate change and sea level rise.

[1] Where longshore drift occurs in opposite directions, two spits merge into a triangular protrusion along a coastline or lakeshore.

[1] Sediments brought along the shoreline via longshore drift are then able to settle and accumulate in the lee of the island where there is less wave energy.

Point Scott is a cuspate foreland along this lakeshore that has formed from the gradual accumulation of sand and gravel.

[11] Cuspate forelands can be separated into three distinct areas: the central nose or apex, and two marginal wings.

[5] In areas that have a large amount of shingle, such as the cuspate foreland at Dungeness, it is also common for a fresh water table to be present.

[1] The direction of migration is often indicated by a series of successive beach ridges on the advancing side of the foreland where there is less wave energy.

[1] After the formation of the cuspate foreland into its distinctive triangular shape, it will start to be colonised by pioneer species that are hardy and tough enough to survive in the environment.

Firstly, if the shingle is too coarse, the amount of fine sediment that can remain between the spaces is reduced, and the likelihood that seeds will germinate and grow upwards is low.

[12] Vegetation above the high tide line is common on cuspate forelands that are stable and composed of shingle.

[12] Shingle beaches also provide a habitat for birds to breed, nest, and rest en route while migrating.

If a cuspate foreland has formed from deposition, it may be vulnerable if human interference alters the transport of sediments from the shoreline.

[11] Development along cuspate forelands is risky due to erosion and the vulnerability to storms and sea level rise.

[10] This foreland is particularly vulnerable to erosion when high lake levels are combined with spring and autumn cyclonic activity.

[10] Erosion can also occur as spring storms cause ice to scour the lake bottom at the edge of the foreland.

[12] The management of coastlines needs to take into account the natural processes that occur on cuspate forelands since many provide a habitat for birds.

[12] Some cuspate forelands naturally do not contain any vegetation due to a high level of disturbance from physical factors such as wave action.