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Between a rock and a hard place: Environmental and engineering considerations when designing coastal defence structures

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Pip MooreORCiD

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Abstract

Coastal defence structures are proliferating as a result of rising sea levels and stormier seas. With the realisation that most coastal infrastructure cannot be lost or removed, research is required into ways that coastal defence structures can be built to meet engineering requirements, whilst also providing relevant ecosystem services-so-called ecological engineering. This approach requires an understanding of the types of assemblages and their functional roles that are desirable and feasible in these novel ecosystems. We review the major impacts coastal defence structures have on surrounding environments and recent experiments informing building coastal defences in a more ecologically sustainable manner. We summarise research carried out during the THESEUS project (2009-2014) which optimised the design of coastal defence structures with the aim to conserve or restore native species diversity. Native biodiversity could be manipulated on defence structures through various interventions: we created artificial rock pools, pits and crevices on breakwaters; we deployed a precast habitat enhancement unit in a coastal defence scheme; we tested the use of a mixture of stone sizes in gabion baskets; and we gardened native habitat-forming species, such as threatened canopy-forming algae on coastal defence structures. Finally, we outline guidelines and recommendations to provide multiple ecosystem services while maintaining engineering efficacy. This work demonstrated that simple enhancement methods can be cost-effective measures to manage local biodiversity. Care is required, however, in the wholesale implementation of these recommendations without full consideration of the desired effects and overall management goals. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Firth LB, Thompson RC, Bohn K, Abbiati M, Airoldi L, Bouma TJ, Bozzeda F, Ceccherelli VU, Colangelo MA, Evans A, Ferrario F, Hanley ME, Hinz H, Hoggart SPG, Jackson JE, Moore P, Morgan EH, Perkol-Finkel S, Skov MW, Strain EM, van Belzen J, Hawkins SJ

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Coastal Engineering

Year: 2014

Volume: 87

Pages: 122-135

Print publication date: 01/05/2014

Online publication date: 14/11/2013

Acceptance date: 15/10/2013

ISSN (print): 0378-3839

Publisher: Elsevier

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coastaleng.2013.10.015

DOI: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2013.10.015


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