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Coastal Management: Hard vs. Soft Engineering

The document discusses coastal management strategies, dividing them into hard engineering, which uses artificial structures like sea walls and groynes, and soft engineering, which employs natural methods such as beach nourishment and dune stabilization. Hard engineering offers immediate protection but is costly and can disrupt natural processes, while soft engineering is more sustainable but may take longer to yield results. Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages, highlighting the need for careful consideration in coastal management.

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102 views18 pages

Coastal Management: Hard vs. Soft Engineering

The document discusses coastal management strategies, dividing them into hard engineering, which uses artificial structures like sea walls and groynes, and soft engineering, which employs natural methods such as beach nourishment and dune stabilization. Hard engineering offers immediate protection but is costly and can disrupt natural processes, while soft engineering is more sustainable but may take longer to yield results. Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages, highlighting the need for careful consideration in coastal management.

Uploaded by

mp2hszft8h
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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HOW DO WE MANAGE COASTS AGAINST

NATURAL PROCESSES?
Hard engineering:
• Hard engineering strategies
involve using structures and
artificial interventions to
control coastal erosion and
flooding.
• Includes: Rock/surge channels,
sea walls, revetments,
groynes, breakwaters, rock
armour.
ROCK
CHANNELS/SURGE
CHANNEL
• Rock channels are a coastal
management strategy
involving the placement of
rock structures to direct and
control the flow of water
along the shoreline,
mitigating erosion and
promoting sediment
deposition.
SEAWALLS
• Concrete barriers
constructed along
the shoreline to
absorb wave
energy and protect
against erosion.
REVETMENTS
• Sloped structures made of
concrete, rock, or other materials,
protecting the coastline from wave
impact.
GROYNES • Wooden or concrete structures
placed at right angles to the shore
to trap sediments and prevent
erosion.
OFFSHORE • Offshore barriers built parallel to the
BREAKWATERS coast, dissipating wave energy and
creating calmer waters behind
them.
ROCK
ARMOUR

• Large boulders used


to reduce wave
energy reaching the
shoreline.
HOW DO WE MANAGE COASTS AGAINST
NATURAL PROCESSES?

Soft engineering:
• Soft engineering strategies
involve more natural and
sustainable approaches to coastal
management.
BEACH
Adding sand or pebbles to
NOURISHMENT eroded beaches, restoring their
natural defenses against
waves.
DUNE
STABILISATION • Planting native vegetation on sand
dunes to prevent erosion and provide
a buffer against storm surges.
MANAGED
RETREAT
• Allowing controlled
erosion and
relocating buildings
away from
vulnerable areas,
letting the coastline
adapt naturally.
SALT MARSH • Creating or restoring salt marshes
CREATION to absorb wave energy, reduce
erosion, and provide habitats for
wildlife.
MANGROVE • Planting mangrove trees along
PLANTING coastlines to act as natural
barriers, reducing wave energy
and stabilizing sediment.
ADVANTAGES OF HARD ENGINEERING

• Immediate protection
against erosion and
flooding.
• Structurally stable and
durable.
• Can be effective in high-
risk areas.
DISADVANTAGES
OF HARD
ENGINEERING
• Expensive to build and
maintain.
• Alters natural coastal
processes.
• May lead to
unintended
consequences in
neighboring areas.
ADVANTAGES
OF SOFT
ENGINEERING
• More environmentally
friendly and
sustainable.
• Supports natural
habitats and
biodiversity.
• Can adapt to changing
coastal dynamics.
DISADVANTAGES OF
SOFT ENGINEERING

• Takes time to show


results.
• May not be sufficient in
high-risk areas.
• Relies on natural
processes that can be
unpredictable.

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