Mackenzie Koziol

November 4, 2016

Coastal Management
Types of approaches
Hard engineering approach (structural approach):
o The construction of physical structures to defend
against erosive power of waves
o Hard engineering measures
Seawalls
They are built along the coast to absorb
the energy of waves before they can
cause erosion
They can be made of concrete, rocks or
wood
They are especially effective in protecting
cliffs from erosion
However, they cannot pr4event the
backwash of the refracted waves from
washing away beach materials beneath
the walls
This undermines the base of the seawalls
and they collapse
Seawalls are costly to build and maintain
Breakwaters
It can be built with one end attached to
the coast or away from the coast
They break the force of high energy
waves before they reach the shore

Mackenzie Koziol

November 4, 2016

Coastal Management
When constructed offshore, it can create a
zone of calm water behind them and allow
deposition to occur, forming beaches
Groynes
They are built at right angles to the shore
to prevent longshore drift
They absorb or reduce the energy of
waves and cause materials to be
deposited on the side of the groyne facing
the longshore drift
However, erosion can occur at places not
protected by it
Soft engineering approach (non-structural approach):
o Focuses on planning and management so that both
coastal areas and properties will not be damaged
by erosion
o Aims at changing individual behavior or attitudes
towards coastal protection by encouraging minimal
human interference
o Soft engineering methods
Beach nourishment
The constant replenishment of large
quantities of sand to the beach system
The beach is extended seawards, which
leads to the improvement of beach quality
and storm protection

Mackenzie Koziol

November 4, 2016

Coastal Management
It is costly to transport large quantities of
sand to fill up the beach and sufficient
sand is needed
Sand is being eroded and transported
away by waves and wind and can effect
wildlife coral reefs at Waikiki Beach in
Hawaii
Relocation of properties
No building of properties is allowed in
coastal erosion
The east coast of England has a green
line policy that discourage building
located beyond it
With the danger of increasing sea levels
due to global warming, relocation is
important to future coastal management
Planting of mangroves
Mangroves with their prop roots help trap
sediments and reduce coastal erosion
As mangrove communities grows
seawards, they extend the coastal land
seawards
Stabilizing dunes
Access points to the beach should be
controlled and designated so as not to be
disturbed by human traffic

Mackenzie Koziol

November 4, 2016

Coastal Management
Shrubs and trees can be planted to
stabilize them roots of trees reach
downwards to trap groundwater
Growth of coral reefs
Artificial reefs can be created by placing
environmentally friendly and longlined
materials like steel or concrete on the sea
floor
Once the material is put in place, living
organisms start to grow on it
Man-made reefs are as productive as
natural reefs