In the aftermath of hurricane damage along the east coast in recent years, we observed that those shorelines that had been protected by natural features sustained less damage that developed shorelines. These observations renewed interest in protecting our shorelines and restoring community resiliency through the use of natural and nature based features. Restoration elements that incorporate natural features serve to protect areas from day to day wave energies, provide habitat, and allow for more natural flows of sediment and water. However, shorelines with natural features require ongoing maintenance and adaptive strategies.
A study of the response of these natural features to wave energy provides guidance on the settings in which these features can be effective, and when more structural elements are also required to achieve shoreline stabilization. But how well can we mimic these natural features? How much structure must be added to achieve shoreline stabilization? How do we determine which strategy is best along a given shoreline?
Results/Conclusions
A series of coastal resiliency projects that incorporate nature based features are presented, highlighting the design and construction for different strategies, along with information on how the sites are being monitored, maintained, and adapted to sea level rise. One clear message from the implementation of these projects is that US policies that encourage nature based features, including sediment and organic material placement within estuarine and floodplain habitats, must be enacted.