The continuing erosion of the coastline has been attributed to the effects of sea level rise, hurricanes and storm events with their higher sea levels and wave attack, which are becoming more common as a result of climate change. The most popular method of mitigating the effects of wave attack and trying to stop or delay coastal retreat has been to harden the coastline by building sea walls or rock revetments. However, by stopping natural erosion processes, coastal defence structures prevent coastal ecosystems from moving inland and disrupting sand supplies, leading to increased beach erosion.
Coastal hardening interrupts natural erosion processes
The continuing erosion of the coastline has been attributed to the effects of sea level rise, hurricanes and storm events with their higher sea levels and wave attack, which are becoming more common as a result of climate change. The most popular method of mitigating the effects of wave attack and trying to stop or delay coastal retreat has been to harden the coastline by building sea walls or rock revetments. However, by stopping natural erosion processes, coastal defence structures prevent coastal ecosystems from moving inland and disrupting sand supplies, leading to increased beach erosion.
Nº 102
California
- Land, Food & Agriculture
- Climate Change Adaption
- Building Green Infrastructure, Building Grey Infrastructure
some attempts made
past case
Region-1
Region-2
Region-3
Region-4
ongoing case
no attempts made
Coastal hardening interrupts natural erosion processes
Coastal armoring in California tends to be the default response to coastal hazards. Coastal armoring is thought to help protect structures and public beaches, when in fact it may contribute to the disappearance of public beaches that are subject to erosion. Furthermore, this type of intervention does not allow natural systems to respond to sea level rise by migrating inland, and can undermine the co-benefits to local communities that these natural systems otherwise provide. There are also concerns about a decline in sand supply.
- The problem-shift had no effect on the efforts to address the initial problem
- Cascading (far-reaching effects following each other)
Melius, M. L., & Caldwell, M. R. (2015). Managing Coastal Armoring and Climate Change Adaptation in the 21st Century. Stanford Law School.
Griggs G. (2005). The impacts of coastal armoring. Shore and Beach, 73 (1). 13-22.
Melius, M.L. & Caldwell, M.R. (2015). Managing Coastal Armoring and Climate Change
Adaptation in the 21st Century. Stanford Law School. http://law.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/CalCoastArmor-FULL-REPORT-6.17.15.pdf
Griggs, G. B. (2005). The impacts of coastal armoring. Shore and beach, 73(1), 13-22. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285969581_The_impacts_of_coastal_armoring
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