Beach transects

Instructions and record sheet to be completed by each group for Hypothesis 2

A transect is a line, along which you can collect data. Your group will choose a number of places along each beach to complete a transect.

1)  After choosing a suitable place, place the tape measure along a line from the sea shore to the back of the beach.

2)  Start at the sea, look up the slope of the beach and measure the distance in metres up to a point where the slope angle first changes. This is your first section of the beach

3)  For that distance, measure the angle of the slope using the clinometer and record the grain size.

4)  Repeat these steps every time the slope angle changes (your teacher will explain)

5)  You might record on the table any other information you need.

Have a look at the completed table below and the cross-section graph drawn from its results

Name of beach Starfish Bay / Site 1
Beach section. Distance in m. / Angle of slope / Particle size / Other information?
Fine sand / Medium sand / Coarse sand / pebbles / rocks
Section 1
0-50m / 2˚ / ü / No plants, waves reach here at high tide
Section 2
50-108m / 6˚ / ü / No plants, some high tides reach here
Section 3
108-125m / 3˚ / ü / Some gravel sized particles as well.
Section 4
125-130m / 1˚ / ü / Mangrove plants here.

With this information you will be able to draw a cross-section like the one below when you get back to the classroom.

Name of beach …………………………………. / Site ……..
Beach section. Distance in m. / Angle of slope / Particle size / Other information?
Fine sand / Medium sand / Coarse sand / pebbles / rocks
1
2
3
4
Name of beach …………………………………. / Site ……..
Beach section. Distance in m. / Angle of slope / Particle size / Other information?
Fine sand / Medium sand / Coarse sand / pebbles / rocks
1
2
3
4
Name of beach …………………………………. / Site ……..
Beach section. Distance in m. / Angle of slope / Particle size / Other information?
Fine sand / Medium sand / Coarse sand / pebbles / rocks
1
2
3
4
Name of beach …………………………………. / Site ……..
Beach section. Distance in m. / Angle of slope / Particle size / Other information?
Fine sand / Medium sand / Coarse sand / pebbles / rocks
1
2
3
4
Name of beach …………………………………. / Site ……..
Beach section. Distance in m. / Angle of slope / Particle size / Other information?
Fine sand / Medium sand / Coarse sand / pebbles / rocks
1
2
3
4
Name of beach …………………………………. / Site ……..
Beach section. Distance in m. / Angle of slope / Particle size / Other information?
Fine sand / Medium sand / Coarse sand / pebbles / rocks
1
2
3
4
Name of beach …………………………………. / Site ……..
Beach section. Distance in m. / Angle of slope / Particle size / Other information?
Fine sand / Medium sand / Coarse sand / pebbles / rocks
1
2
3
4
Name of beach …………………………………. / Site ……..
Beach section. Distance in m. / Angle of slope / Particle size / Other information?
Fine sand / Medium sand / Coarse sand / pebbles / rocks
1
2
3
4
Name of beach …………………………………. / Site ……..
Beach section. Distance in m. / Angle of slope / Particle size / Other information?
Fine sand / Medium sand / Coarse sand / pebbles / rocks
1
2
3
4