These structures, however, may be detrimental to the surrounding environment and in some cases may not effectively reduce shoreline erosion. Hard engineering typically involves the construction of seawalls, breakwaters, groynes, or revetments (i.e., structures that slow wave action). Soft engineering relies on natural processes and materials that are readily available and easily installed by manual labor or small construction equipment and is, therefore, more cost-effective in most situations. Soft engineering methods generally refer to natural shoreline protection approaches such as beach nourishment and sand dune restoration. Types of Shoreline Protection ApproachesĬoastal engineering for coastline protection entails the following: 1. This process is called “beach nourishment.” It involves pumping sand and shells onto a shoreline to widen and lengthen it. Instead of waiting for Mother Nature to reconstruct the beach, people may build protective barriers and undertake replenishment programs. When a natural disaster occurs, such as a hurricane or an earthquake, it can wipe away beaches and decimate coastlines. Importance of Beach Nourishmentīeaches are an important natural resource for recreation. It is now a common method of shore protection utilized by both governmental and private organizations. Nourishment is often a recurrent process because it does not eliminate the physical forces that cause erosion, but rather mitigates their effects. A broader beach can shield upland structures and infrastructure from storm surges, tsunamis, and extremely high tides, reducing storm damage to coastal structures.īeach nourishment is usually done as part of a larger integrated coastal zone management plan targeted at coastal defense.
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