3.2.13

Coastal Management - Soft Engineering

Test yourself

Which Soft Engineering Strategies Can Protect the Coast?

Soft engineering strategies artificially use the sea, physical and natural processes to protect coastal areas from flooding and erosion. Beach nourishment, dune regeneration, and beach reprofiling are examples of soft engineering strategies.

Illustrative background for What is beach nourishment?Illustrative background for What is beach nourishment? ?? "content

What is beach nourishment?

  • Beach nourishment involves adding more sand to a beach.
  • The sand can be purchased or moved from another part of the beach.
  • Sand and shingle will naturally be pushed up against groynes and this sediment can be put back on other parts of the beaches.
Illustrative background for What is beach reprofiling?Illustrative background for What is beach reprofiling? ?? "content

What is beach reprofiling?

  • Beach reprofiling involves changing the make-up of sediment and sand on a beach to protect the coastline.
  • Creating wider beaches can slow waves and reduce the energy that waves have when they hit the shore.
  • Reprofiling and moving sand & shingle can damage the wildlife living amongst it.
Illustrative background for What is dune regeneration?Illustrative background for What is dune regeneration? ?? "content

What is dune regeneration?

  • Dune regeneration focuses on improving and maintaining sand dunes.
  • Nourishing or planting plants can help to support the dunes and help them resist wind and absorb destructive waves' energy.
  • Again, planting lots of vegetation all the way up and down sand dunes can be expensive.

Jump to other topics

1The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1Natural Hazards

1.2Tectonic Hazards

1.3Weather Hazards

1.4Climate Change

2The Living World

3Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1The UK Physical Landscape

3.2Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.3River Landscapes in the UK

3.4Glacial Landscapes in the UK

4Urban Issues & Challenges

5The Changing Economic World

6The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1Resource Management

6.2Food

6.3Water

6.4Energy

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