Describe in detail the main processes involved in the transport and deposition of fluvial sediment.

ASSESSMENT TASK TWO

Brief
You will write an essay addressing one of the titles given below. These titles have been selected to cover the range of topics studied in this module. You will be expected to explore your chosen title/topic in depth and go beyond the material covered in class. Where appropriate your essay will include analysis and evaluation and draw on case studies and examples in addition to description. You should use texts and articles to support your writing.

Choose from ONE of the following titles (Please choose one you think it is easy for you)
1. Describe in detail the main processes involved in the transport and deposition of fluvial sediment. Include reference to bed forms and the physical laws that govern sediment transport and deposition.

2. Compare and contrast the development of braided and meandering rivers and their geomorphological features.

3. With reference to specific examples, explain the different approaches to river restoration and evaluate their merits.

4. Discuss the potential effects of climate change on fluvial ecosystem services and evaluate how this might impact on our ability to meet the needs of the Water Framework Directive.

5. With reference to specific examples, explain how flooding can be managed through the use of non-engineered approaches. You should evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.

6. Pollution of rivers can arise from a number of sources: past mining activity, urbanisation, agriculture and afforestation being key examples. Choose ONE of these topics and explain the effects on the catchment and evaluate some of the approaches that can be taken to reduce the effects.

Guidelines
The assignment must adhere to the following criteria:

1) Word count: 1500 total. A total word count must be provided at the end of the essay.

2) Format: essays should be typed in Arial (11 pts) or Times New Roman (12pts). The SHU-Harvard referencing system must be used for in text citations and referencing. If you are uncertain about how to reference correctly please seek advice.

3) Use of Diagrams and figures: The use of figures and tables is strongly encouraged. If these are not of your own creation they must be correctly cited and referenced using the SHU-Harvard referencing system. All figures and tables must be numbered and labelled and should be referred to in the text.

4) Research – you are expected to draw on academic texts and journal articles for this piece of work, materials from organisations such as the Environment Agency and Natural England may be used where appropriate but you should not over-rely on these.

You need to submit your report to the Assignment Handling Point (Owen 431) by the date specified in your assessment diary.

Please make sure that you keep a copy of your work.

Assessment Criteria Mark: /100%

Name:

Excellent
Equivalent to
70% + Very good
Equivalent to
60 – 69% Good
Equivalent to
50 – 59% Adequate
Equivalent to
40 – 49% Fail
Below 40%
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of fluvial form and its changing nature and/or demonstrate understanding of how environmental change and management affects fluvial systems. Explore the topic in some detail and analyse it.
/55%
38.5%+

Excellent understanding of fluvial form and it’s changing nature
and/or
excellent understanding of how environmental change and management affects fluvial systems. Topic is comprehensively explored and material thoroughly analysed.
33% – 38.5%
Very good
Very good understanding of fluvial form and it’s changing nature
and/or
very good understanding of how environmental change and management affects fluvial systems. Topic is reasonably comprehensively explored and material analysed.
27.5% -33%
Good
Good understanding of fluvial form and it’s changing nature
and/or
good understanding of how environmental change and management affects fluvial systems. Exploration of the topic is good but has some omissions, some analysis included but typically cursory
22% – 27.5%
Adequate
Adequate understanding of fluvial form and it’s changing nature
and/or
adequate understanding of how environmental change and management affects fluvial systems. Adequate exploration of the topic but lacks any depth and has limited analysis.
Less than 22%
Unsatisfactory
Poor understanding of fluvial form and it’s changing nature
and/or
poor understanding of how environmental change and management affects fluvial systems. Exploration of the topic is limited, several omissions, lack of analysis of the material in question

Ability to carry out academic research and synthesise findings into a well structured and coherent piece of work with reference to appropriate case studies.
/30%
21%+
Excellent

Excellent research focusing on academic texts and papers, student has demonstrated excellent ability to synthesise research into a well structured and coherent piece of work, drawing on examples and case studies to illustrate points. 18% – 21%
Very good

Very good research focusing on academic texts and some papers, student has demonstrated very good ability to synthesise research into a well structured and coherent piece of work, drawing on examples and case studies to illustrate points.
15% – 18%
Good

Good research mainly focusing on academic texts, student has demonstrated a good ability to synthesise research into a reasonably structured piece of work, although in places it lacks clarity. Some examples and case studies used.
12% – 15%
Adequate

Adequate research using some academic texts, student has demonstrated some ability to synthesise research but it is overly descriptive, the structure is weak the narrative lacks clarity. Some examples and case studies used but are cursory.
Less than 12%
Unsatisfactory

Limited academic materials used but mainly web based materials, material is poorly put together resulting in a poorly structured piece of work which lacks clarity and does not include any case studies or examples.
Demonstrate ability to use good English including spelling, punctuation and grammar; to accurately use SHU Havard for all references.
/15%
10.5%+
Excellent

Excellent use of English with no errors. All references are correctly sourced in the text and bibliography use SHU Havard. 9% – 10.5%
Very good

Very good use of English with only one or two errors. All references are correctly sourced in the text and bibliography use SHU Havard. 7.5% – 9%
Good

Good use of English with few errors. Most references are correctly sourced in the text and bibliography use SHU Havard. 6% – 7.5%
Adequate

Adequate use of English but several errors present.
References are sourced in the text and bibliography using SHU Havard with a few errors. Less than 6%
Unsatisfactory

Poor use of English with multiple errors. References are incorrectly sourced in the text and bibliography and do not adhere to the SHU Havard guidelines.

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