L12 - Soft engineering coastal

• beach nourishment

  replacing of lost sediment onto the beach. a large beach means fewer waves reach the back of the beach, and those that do have less energy as they have had further to go. this means erosion is slowed down. it can be achieved by either taking sand from the seabed or transporting it back along the beach
• sand dune regeneration

  the artificial creation of new sand dunes or the restoration of existing ones by building a fence to protect the area behind from collapsing, or marram grass may be planted to hold the dune together. sand dunes act as a physical barrier, absorbing the energy from the wave and thus reducing erosion
• beach reprofiling

  the artificial reshaping of a beach using existing beach sediment. in winter, a beach is lowered by destructive waves taking sediment away. after winter storms, bulldozers move the shingle back up the beach to act as a buffer between land and sea
• managed retreat

  a decision is made to no longer hold the line and protect the coast. people are moved out from homes and relocated. buildings are demolished and a deliberate 'breach' in current sea defences is made to create new habitats. this offers a sustainable solution
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  beach nourishment

  
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  beach reprofiling

  
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  sand dune regeneration

  
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  managed retreat