Coastal erosion is a natural or anthropogenic process in which sediment is worn away from the shoreline and seafloor due to storms, boat wakes, tidal currents, and rising sea levels.
The combination of storm surge at high tide with additional effects from strong waves creates the most damaging conditions. The extent and severity of the problem is worsening with global sea level rise, but it differs in different parts of the country, so there is no single solution.
Shoreline hardening
In the past, protecting the coast often meant "hardening" the shoreline with structures such as seawalls, groins, rip-rap, and levees. As understanding of natural shoreline function improves, there is a growing acceptance that structural solutions may cause more problems than they solve. Structural projects interfere with natural water currents and prevent sand from shifting along coastlines.
Living Shorelines, and Green Infastructure
Many states have shifted toward non-structural living shoreline stabilization techniques. Unlike structural projects, nature-based or "green infrastructure" protection measures enhance the natural ability of shorelines to absorb and dissipate storm energy without interfering with natural coastal processes
Green Infastructure usually involves the planting natural occuring coastal plants, trees, grasses, along with coconut fiber logs and other natural resources. Building tall berms and planting ground cover from top to bottom. These benefits allow the growth of other habitats such as seagrass meadows and marshes
Walk along the bank where I've posted waypoints, and down the boardwalk to observe materials used to control erosion here
Send me (via message) at least two materials used here to control erosion due to the Green Infastructure movement
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