Coastal management

What are the two types of coastal management?

Hard engineering approach- the construction of physical structures to defend
against erosive power of waves.
Soft engineering approach- focusing on planning and management s 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
Seawalls: building a wall along the coast to absorb the waves energy before they
can cause erosion. Especially in protecting cliffs from erosion. Energy will be
deflected and will deteriorate below it and the wall will fall. Sea turtles will not be
able climb over the wall along with crabs.
Break water: can be built with one end attached to the coast or away from the cost.
The break force of high energy waves before they reach the shore. When
constructed offshore, it can create a zone of calm water behind them and allow
deposition to occur, forming beaches. Steals sand and builds up behind the break
water.
Groins: built perpendicular to shore line to prevent longshore drift. They absorb or
reduce the energy of waves and cause materials to be deposited on the side of the
groin facing the longshore drift. However, erosion can occur at places not protected
by it.
Soft
Beach nourishment: the constant replenishment of large quantities of sand to the
beach system. The beach extended seawards, 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 by waves and wind and can affect wildlife e.g., coral reefs at
Waikiki beach in Hawaii.
Relocation: no building of properties area 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 sediment and
reduce coastal erosion. As mangrove communities grow seawards, they extend the
coastal land seawards.
Stabilizing dunes: access points to the beach should be controlled and designated
so as not to be disturbed by human traffic. Shrubs and trees cane planted to

stabilize them. Roots of the 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-living materials like steel or concrete on the sea floor. Once the
materials in place, living organisms start to grow on it. Man-made reefs are as
productive as natural reefs in enhancing fishing oppurtunites and severe as
undersea barriers to reduce impacts of wave energy.