Coastal erosion is another naturally occurring phenomenon which can alter the natural environment greatly even if it’s not considered disastrous. Even though the vast majority of coastal erosion is a direct result of natural phenomena (such as hurricanes and storms, etc.), that doesn’t mean we can’t protect against them!
What is Coastal Erosion
Coastal erosion is the process of the coastal material being worn away such as the removal of the beach, sand dunes, and sediment by the naturally occurring processes such as wave currents, tidal currents, high winds or drainage.
Storms and high winds can cause coastal erosion but the extent of erosion depends on the intensity, duration, and number of storms. As beaches erode, properties in close proximity are at risk.
Urbanized Coastal Areas Put Us At Risk
Coastal environments are undergoing natural change continuously as shorelines keep moving back and forth. When these changes occur in the absence of human life and property, they are mere examples of the natural ecosystems undergoing the due evolution process.
However, population and property in coastal areas are no longer avoidable. In the US alone, the population along the coastal areas has exploded over the last three decades or so. This migration towards the coast has changed the demographics and socioeconomic conditions.
85% of the entire population lives in the 30 coastal states while 50% of this population resides within 50 miles of their respective coasts. With the urban development spreading rapidly in coastal areas, the risk of coastal erosion turning into an actual problem is also increasing.
When Coastal Erosion Becomes a Problem
When there’s no room for change, coastal erosion can turn into a bigger problem than it has to be. Highly urbanized coastal areas face coastal erosion difficulties.
Short-term financial gain stimulates this urbanization along the coast but it doesn’t take coastal erosion risks into account. The presence of people and property reduce the coastal resilience since the coastline doesn’t have any room to move.
This type of development isn’t sustainable at all but it becomes even more worrisome when climate change is taken into consideration.
How To Protect Against Coastal Erosion
There are many synthetic options when it comes to coastal erosion control but the drawbacks are too many for it to be considered a sustainable solution. However, natural and biodegradable solutions also exist.
For instance, RoLanka offers biodegradable and natural coir logs that are very effective in combating shoreline erosion.
Among the available products, RoLanka BioD-SuperLog, square coir logs with invisible planting holes have the advantage of anchoring them through the log. It has proven to be very effective in streambank restoration and coastal erosion control projects. To buy any of RoLanka’s coir fiber products online, get in touch now! BioD-SuperLog is a patented product developed by RoLanka.