The effects of large-scale breakwaters on shoreline vegetation

Martin, Sara; Temple, Nigel; Palino, Gillian; Cebrián, Just; Sparks, Eric

doi:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2021.106319

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…Deposition of sediment between the breakwaters and marsh edge is resulting in marsh advance into the quiescent zone created by the structures [Figure S1]. Martin et al [105] recently reported similar results from Mobile Bay marsh shorelines. More specifically, they conclude: While this study shows that large-scale breakwaters in high wave energy environments do not promote the growth of shoreline plantings, they do effectively reduce wave impacts on the shoreline and enhance natural fringing vegetation.…”

Section: Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 71%

Recovery and Restoration of Biloxi Marsh in the Mississippi River Delta

Kemp

McDade²,

Day

et al. 2021

Water

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The State of Louisiana is leading an integrated wetland restoration and flood risk reduction program in the Mississippi River Delta. East of New Orleans, Biloxi Marsh, a ~1700 km2 peninsula jutting 60 km north toward the State of Mississippi is one of few Delta wetland tracts well positioned to dissipate hurricane surge and waves threatening the city’s newly rebuilt hurricane flood defenses. Both its location on the eastern margin of the Delta, and its genesis as the geologic core of the shallow water St. Bernard/Terre aux Boeuf sub-delta, which was the primary Mississippi outlet for almost 2000 years, make Biloxi Marsh attractive for restoration, now that the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet deep-draft ship channel has been dammed, and 50 years of impacts from construction and operation have abated. Now, the cascade of ecosystem damage it caused can be reversed or offset by restoration projects that leverage natural recovery and increased access to suspended sediment from the Mississippi River. Biloxi Marsh is (1) geologically stable, (2) benefiting from increased input of river sediment, and (3) could be restored to sustainability earlier and for a longer period than most of the rest of the submerging Mississippi Delta. The focus of this review is on the Biloxi Marsh, but it also provides a template for regional studies, including analysis of 2D and 3D seismic and other energy industry data to explore why existing marshes that look similar on the ground or from the air may respond to restoration measures with different levels of success. Properties of inherent durability and resilience can be exploited in restoration project selection, sequencing and expenditure. Issues encountered and investigative methods applied in the Biloxi Marsh are likely to resonate across initiatives now contemplated to sustain valuable river deltas worldwide.

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Section: Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 71%

Recovery and Restoration of Biloxi Marsh in the Mississippi River Delta

Kemp

McDade²,

Day

et al. 2021

Water

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“…In Malaysia, several emerged and submerged breakwaters were constructed to solve coastal erosion ( Mohamed Rashidi et al., 2021 ). Similar applications to protect coastlines while promoting mangroves and marshes can be found in many countries ( Martin et al., 2021 ). Although the effectiveness of breakwaters is well-realized, there have been numerous publications on their negative impacts.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 78%

“…Submerged breakwaters change the surrounding hydrodynamics such as waves and water current patterns. Submerged breakwaters significantly reduce incoming wave heights, forcing waves to break upon their crests ( Martin et al., 2021 ; Vona et al., 2020 ). Rubble mound breakwaters can be constructed with low levels of crest, allowing wave overtopping during storms ( Kamali et al., 2010 ).…”

Section: Submerged Breakwatersmentioning

confidence: 99%