Ecological Approaches to Coastal Risk Mitigation

This paper discusses the key aspects of the recent Coastal Plan of the Veneto Region (IT). Its aim is to propose a single mitigation strategy for coastal erosion that is valid for the whole Veneto Region, and possibly elsewhere, as well as a method to assign a priority level to any action. The suggested mitigation action against erosion depends on urbanization level, beach width, as well as cross-shore and long-shore sediment transport. The criterion used to give a priority level to mitigation actions is based on a vulnerability index that takes into account erosive tendency, existing coastal flooding hazards, coast value, environmental relevance, tourist pressure, urbanization level, the presence of production activities, and cultural heritage. A sample case featuring the littoral of Rosolina is also provided and includes a site description, the sediment budget, critical issues and possible mitigation measures.

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“…Suggestions on design optimization, optimal placement, and efficiency from an ecological perspective are outlined in [41].…”

Section: Mitigation Options and Selection Criteriamentioning

confidence: 99%

Vulnerability Analysis of the Venetian Littoral and Adopted Mitigation Strategy

Ruol

Martinelli

Favaretto

2018

Water

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“…As the coast has become more urbanised, natural habitats and associated biota have been damaged and lost over the history (Airoldi and Beck, 2007;Airoldi et al, 2009;Lotze et al, 2011). Nevertheless, pockets of extensive coastal habitats of high naturalistic and environmental value still remain, and there is growing interest for new ''blue-green'' sustainable approaches that combine coastal protection as well as production of marine food and renewable energy to nature conservation (Hoggart et al, 2015;Zanuttigh et al, 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conservation challenges in human dominated seascapes: The harbour and coast of Ravenna

Airoldi

Ponti

Abbiati

2016

Regional Studies in Marine Science

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“…The stark contrast between total ESV loss and economic benefits in Hangzhou Bay implies that a trade-off between protracted ecological value and quick economic benefits from reclamation was detrimental (Qiu et al, 2021). Even though erecting hard coastal defenses will always be necessary to ensure a certain degree of protection for the coastal ecosystem, it is also important to take into account the geographic context, economic needs, cultural values, and interactions between sophisticated ecological processes when making decisions about how to reduce flood risk and sustainably develop our beautiful coastlines (Hoggart et al, 2015). Ultimately, preserving and restoring coastal wetlands by introducing invasive species instead of building more seawalls is more likely to guarantee longer-lasting ecological sustainability (Liu et al, 2019).…”

Section: Invasion Versus Reclamation Trade-offs Of Coastal Reclamationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increasing coastal reclamation by Invasive alien plants and coastal armoring threatens the ecological sustainability of coastal wetlands

Leng

Yuguda

et al. 2023

Front. Mar. Sci.

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Coastal reclamation is becoming a common land restoration trend all over the world as a result of the rising demand for land. Though restoring coastal wetlands has significant economic advantages, a slew of adverse ecological effects threatens the carbon functions of coastal wetlands. For the objective of making appropriate land use policymaking, the ecological-economic trade-offs of reclamation initiatives must be carefully considered. In this study, we utilized appropriate models to estimate the ecosystem service values and economic benefits of invasive alien plants and embankment seawall coastal reclamation in China. We centered on three main ecology-related ecosystem services: greenhouse gas regulation, storm-flood-erosion control, and waste treatment/habitat preservation. Coastal reclamation intensity index and financial analysis were utilized to assess the trade-offs between ecological degradation and economic benefit resulting from land reclamation. Findings reveal that a total of 26,322 ha and 10,731 km of coastal wetlands were reclaimed by Spartina alterniflora and seawalls respectively from 2000 to 2020 in China. S. alterniflora reclamation resulted in a significant decline of ESV loss of 5,702,454 Yuan ha−1, while seawalls reclamation yielded some Ecosystem service value (ESV) gain of 4,800, 111 Yuan km-1 from 2000-2020. The combined effects of coastal armoring and invasive S. alterniflora reclamation led to a loss of about 32.2 billion Yuan in ESV for the study duration. Economic gains failed to make up for the ecosystem service value ESV loss, since the cumulative ESV loss significantly exceeded the economic gains across the period studied. This correlation of trade-offs emerged from reclamation development that favored quick economic gains over long-lasting ecological value, posing a potential long-term threat to the ecological integrity and carbon sinks in coastal wetlands. To establish an equilibrium between seawall reclamation and Invasive alien plant species spread in coastal wetlands, stakeholders could use this scientific knowledge as leverage to avert future irreparable losses.

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Ecological Approaches to Coastal Risk Mitigation

Cited by 9 publications

References 190 publications

Vulnerability Analysis of the Venetian Littoral and Adopted Mitigation Strategy

Vulnerability Analysis of the Venetian Littoral and Adopted Mitigation Strategy

Conservation challenges in human dominated seascapes: The harbour and coast of Ravenna

Increasing coastal reclamation by Invasive alien plants and coastal armoring threatens the ecological sustainability of coastal wetlands

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