Techniques for Protecting Coastlines From Erosion

Erosion can become a problem in a wide range of environments but it is especially pronounced along coastal areas. This is because the waters that they border constantly move away sediment as they wash in and out relative to the land’s edge. There are various techniques for protecting coastlines from erosion that people may use alone or in combination with one another. Read about some of the primary methods here.

Constructing Seawalls

Constructing seawalls is a direct way to approach the issue of coastal erosion. With these hard structures, you form barriers at the water’s edge that protect the land from direct contact with the water. Seawalls’ main purpose is to deflect and absorb waves that come at the coast, keeping the ground behind them untouched. They are useful for all kinds of coastline types, whether they are steep cliffs or sloping shores. However, seawalls can negatively affect intertidal habitats by eliminating the natural gradation between land and water.

Building Groynes

Whereas seawalls stand parallel to the coast, groynes stand perpendicular to it. They inhibit the sideways movement of sediment, which can lead to a great deal of land loss over time. Unlike seawalls, which are usually made of heavy-duty concrete, groynes can differ greatly based on an area’s needs. Some types of groynes are temporary and consist of sandbags set in lines within the water. Others are composed of wood or rocks. The largest ones are made of concrete, but not all locations have soil that can support concrete’s weight. The downside of building these structures is that sediment will collect around groynes unevenly, and they may need frequent maintenance to remain effective.

Vegetating the Coast

This technique for protecting coastlines from erosion is a more natural approach compared to the other two. You can plant flora along the shore, which slows erosion because of how their roots grip the soil. Plants can also dissipate wave energy, further decreasing erosion without becoming obtrusive. Vegetating a coastline is only feasible for smaller bodies of water where the water’s movement is not strong, such as marshes. On an ocean coastline, waves will usually wash plants away.