Journal of Oceanography and Marine Research
Open Access

The Impact of Coastal Erosion Engineering Solutions: Techniques and Solutions

Fiohi Zin^{* *}Correspondence: Fiohi Zin, Department of Marine Microbiology, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan, Email:

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Description

Human interventions, such as coastal development and the construction of hard structures like seawalls and jetties, can also worsen erosion. While these structures may offer short-term protection to coastal assets, they often disrupt natural sediment transport processes, leading to erosion elsewhere along the coast. Moreover, the extraction of sand from beaches for construction and industrial purposes further exacerbates erosion, depriving coastlines of vital sediment.

Impact of coastal erosion

The impacts of coastal erosion are multifaceted, affecting communities, economies, and ecosystems alike. One of the most immediate consequences is the loss of land and property. Coastal erosion can eat away at valuable real estate, threatening homes, businesses, and infrastructure. In extreme cases, entire communities may be forced to relocate as the coastline retreats inland. Economically, coastal erosion can devastate tourism, fishing, and shipping industries that rely on healthy coastlines. Eroded beaches deter tourists, leading to revenue losses for coastal businesses and local economies. In fishing communities, eroding coastlines can disrupt access to fishing grounds and harbor facilities, affecting livelihoods and food security.

Furthermore, coastal erosion poses significant risks to coastal ecosystems. Eroding shorelines can destroy habitats vital for marine and terrestrial species, leading to biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse. Additionally, sediment runoff from eroding coastlines can smother coral reefs and seagrass beds, further degrading marine ecosystems. Socioeconomic disparities exacerbate the impacts of coastal erosion, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities. Low-income coastal residents often lack the resources to adapt to erosion, leading to social displacement and exacerbating existing inequalities.

Traditional engineering approaches, such as seawalls, revetments can provide temporary protection against erosion. However, these hard structures can be costly to build and maintain, and they may have unintended consequences, such as increased erosion downstream. As such, engineering solutions should be implemented judiciously and complemented with other strategies.

Soft engineering approaches, such as beach nourishment and dune restoration, focus on restoring natural coastal processes and enhancing resilience. Beach nourishment involves replenishing eroded beaches with sand from offshore or inland sources, while dune restoration involves planting vegetation to stabilize coastal dunes. These nature-based solutions can enhance coastal resilience while providing additional benefits, such as habitat restoration and recreational opportunities.

Effective coastal management policies are essential for mitigating erosion and promoting sustainable development along coastlines. Zoning regulations, setback requirements, and building codes can help prevent further encroachment into erosion-prone areas and ensure that new development is resilient to coastal hazards. Furthermore, coastal adaptation plans should consider long-term climate projections and prioritize naturebased solutions over hard infrastructure.

Engaging local communities in coastal management efforts is crucial for building resilience and encouraging adaptive capacity. Community-based monitoring programs can empower residents to track erosion rates and contribute valuable data for decisionmaking. Additionally, educational initiatives can raise awareness about the importance of coastal ecosystems and the need for collective action to address erosion. The transboundary nature of coastal erosion, international cooperation is essential for addressing shared challenges and promoting sustainable coastal management. Regional agreements and partnerships can facilitate knowledge exchange, resource sharing and coordinated action to mitigate erosion and adapt to climate change. Coastal erosion is a complex and pressing issue that demands urgent attention from policymakers, scientists and communities worldwide.