Coastal Protection Management

Types of Approaches
Hard engineering approach (structural approach):
The construction of physical structures to defend against erosive power of waves
Soft engineering approach (non-structural approach):
Focuses on planning and management so that both coastal areas and properties will
not be damaged by erosion.
Aims at changing individual behavior or attitudes towards coastal protection by
encouraging minimal human interference.
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.
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. When
constructed offshore, it can create a zone of calm water behind them and a, low
deposition to occur, forming beaches. Material deposited behind the breakwater is
not. It will not receive new supplies of materials and it will get eroded away.
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.
Gabions
They are wired cages filled with crushed rocks. They are piled up along the shore to
prevent or reduce coastal erosion by weakening wave energy. It offers short-term
protection (5 to 10 years0). The cages require regular maintenance and are easily
corroded by sea water, trampling and vandalism. If not properly maintained, the
wire baskets can be unsightly and dangerous along the beach.
Soft Engineering Measures
Beach Nourishment
The constant replenishment of large quantities of sand to the beach system. The
beach is extended seaward, which leads to the improvement of beach quality and

storm protection. It is costly to transport large quantities of sand to fill up the beach
and sufficient sand is needed. Sand being eroded and transported away waves and
wind and can affect wildlife e.g. coral reefs at Waikiki Beach in Hawaii
Relocation of Properties
No building of properties are allowed in coastal areas vulnerable to 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 grow seaward, they extend the coastal land seaward.
Stabilizing Dunes
Access Points to the beach should be controlled and designated so as not to be
disturbed by human traffic. Shrubs and trees can be planted to stabilize them. Roots
of trees reach downwards to tap groundwater and anchor the sand in the process.
Growth of Coral Reefs
Artificial reefs can be created by placing environmentally friendly and long-lived
materials like steel of concrete of 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 in enhancing fishing opportunities and serve as undersea barriers to reduce
impact of wave energy.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
Seawalls

Absorb shock of waves

Reduce erosion of shore

Breakwaters

Protection coast from high

energy waves
Encourage build-up of
beach
Protect coast from high
energy waves
Encourage build-up of
beach
Weaken wave energy
Reduce coastal erosion
Improves beach quality
Improves storm protection

Groynes

Gabions
Beach Nourishment

Disadvantages
Erosion may lead to
collapse of seawall
Costly
Erosion on parts of coast
not protected by
breakwaters
Erosion on parts of coast
not protected by groynes

Need regular maintenance

Expensive
Affects marine ecosystem
Requires constant supply of
new sand

Relocation Properties

Planting of Mangroves

Stabilizing Dunes

Growth of Coral Reefs

Allows nature to take its

course
Avoids loss of lives and
properties
Helps trap sediments to
form islands
Prevents coastal erosion
Vegetation growing on
dunes anchor sand
Protects coast from sea
Reduces wave energy
Encourages the growth of
living organisms
Improves fishing
opportunities

Affects investment
opportunities in coastal
areas
Can affect the depth of
coasts implications for
port activities/coastal
transportation
Dunes are easily eroded if
vegetation is not present