The non-statutory approach to coastal defence in England and Wales: Coastal Defence Groups and Shoreline Management Plans

The paper examines the aims and objectives behind the development of the non-statutory shoreline management process in England and Wales. The roles played by Coastal Defence Groups and associated Shoreline Management Plans will be examined as well as their perceived benefits and shortcomings encountered by those in both policy and practice. The paper concludes that, although not panacea, there have and will continue to be significant improvements in the planning and management of coastal defence since the emergence of these groups and plans in England and Wales.     

A comparison between coastal hazard planning in New Zealand and the evolving approach in England and Wales

There is concern in England and Wales over the complexity and short comings of the current arrangements for coastal hazard planning and management. At a time of major constitutional reform involving a strengthened role for regional government, the UK needs to learn from other countries with a strong regional dimension which have developed successful systems for coastal hazard planning and management. New Zealand provides such an example. Recent local government reform and the ‘revolutionary’ Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991 have created a new organisational and administrative framework for coastal hazard planning and policy development in New Zealand which fosters integration, involves all levels of government and extends offshore. This paper provides a comparison of the regional dimension of coastal hazard planning in the two areas, focusing on the status, scope and jurisdiction of regional planning bodies and initiatives as well as investigating issues relating to intergovernmental and cross-sectoral links and public involvement. Although the widely acclaimed RMA is not the panacea for coastal management it was once hoped to be, the New Zealand experience illustrates the advantages of clearly defined roles for different levels of government, with emphasis on regional decision-making and extensive community involvement.     

A model-based approach to unravelling naval defence heritage: supply- and demand-side issues in Portsmouth's coastal zone

The paper explores the nebulous concept of heritage in order to highlight issues relevant to the revitalisation and management of historic naval waterfronts. A model separating supply and demand sides, and further subdividing each side into political, social and economic structures, is used as a framework for analysis. The whole is set within a perceptual filter, and interpretation is subsumed within social structure. The model is applied to heritage concepts at Portsmouth Dockyard and to the legacy of naval defence in the neighbouring coastal zone. From the review of all three structures it is shown that economic considerations are increasingly powerful on both the supply and demand sides, as sovereignity passes to customers who are less interested in authenticity and architectural quality than in securing value for money. Issues and implications arising from this trend, and relevant to naval heritage planning and management, are identified.     

The evolving organisational framework for Integrated Coastal Management in England and Wales

Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) enjoys growing support within the UK. It is therefore timely to assess the factors which have influenced the evolution of the current administrative system and to investigate the extent to which the current organisational arrangements provide a suitable framework within which ICM can develop. Coastal management is indebted to related developments in conservation and environmental management. As a corrective to fragmented and largely sectoral institutional arrangements, limited integrative mechanisms have recently been introduced. Further opportunities arising from the establishment of regional government and with European initiatives should consolidate the establishment of a more integrated coastal management regime.     

Stakeholder priorities for multi-functional coastal defence developments and steps to effective implementation

To fulfil international conservation commitments, governments have begun to recognise the need for more proactive marine planning policies, advocating sensitive engineering design that can deliver secondary benefits above and beyond the primary purpose of developments. In response, there is growing scientific interest in novel multi-functional coastal defence structures with built-in secondary ecological and/or socio-economic benefits. To ensure research efforts are invested effectively, it is first necessary to determine what secondary benefits can potentially be built-in to engineered coastal defence structures, and further, which of these benefits would be most desirable. It is unlikely that secondary benefits are perceived in the same way across different stakeholder groups. Further, their order of priority when evaluating different options is unlikely to be consistent, since each option will present a suite of compromises and trade-offs. The aim of this study was to investigate stakeholder attitudes towards multi-functional coastal defence developments across different sector groups. A preliminary questionnaire indicated unanimous support for implementing multi-functional structures in place of traditional single-purpose ones. This preliminary survey informed the design of a Delphi-like study, which revealed a more nuanced and caveated level of support from a panel of experts and practitioners. The study also elicited a degree of consensus that the most desirable secondary benefits that could be built-in to developments would be ecological ones – prioritised over social, economic and technical benefits. This paper synthesises these findings, discusses the perceived barriers that remain, and proposes a stepwise approach to effective implementation of multi-functional coastal defence developments.     

Appraisal and evolution of the littoral ‘sediment cell’ concept in applied coastal management: Experiences from England and Wales

This paper reviews the historic approach to coastal management and the reasons behind the introduction of the littoral ‘sediment cell’ concept to shoreline management planning in England and Wales. It then reviews the strengths and limitations of the approach and makes practical recommendations on how the approach can be further improved to ensure that a robust methodology exists for assessing coastal evolution; thereby providing a foundation for enabling sustainable future management decisions. Such decisions can relate to both the selection of shoreline management practices, and the identification of appropriate land use planning and development control responses. Both of these items need to take account of natural coastal processes and the interactions that occur within coastal systems at various temporal and spatial scales.     

Beach response to wave energy converter farms acting as coastal defence

One of the greatest challenges of coastal engineering today is the need for coastal protection in the changing climate scenario. Places which are nowadays protected will demand upgraded defences and more sites will require security; in all cases a large amount of resources will be needed to ensure beach maintenance and coastal safety. This may be an opportunity for the multi-purpose use of Wave Energy Converters (WECs) if the foreseen increase of energy demand in coastal areas is also considered. In this paper a group of WECs based on different operating concepts is numerically tested in front of two beaches, i.e. the Bay of Santander in Spain and Las Glorias beach in Mexico, representing two different case studies where the long-shore sediment transport is dominant. The hydrodynamics induced by these devices is represented by means of a 2D elliptic modified mild-slope model that is calibrated against new experimental results. The wave field is then used as input for the analytical calculation of the long-shore sediment transport and the coastline trend is estimated by applying the continuity of sediment equation. The characteristics of the selected numerical models give this work a first approach level. All the devices were found to produce a positive trend (accretion) at least in small areas. Recommendations are given to facilitate the selection of the device and the design of the farm layout for shore protection purpose.     

Integrated and interdisciplinary scientific approach to coastal management

Coastal zones and beach management practices, regulatory decisions, and land use planning activities along coastal zones have historically been made with insufficient information concerning the dynamic coastal environment. In this study we address and integrate an interdisciplinary scientific approach to Coastal Management in a scenario where lack of this information has resulted in the alteration of the natural dune system of the beach of Cala Millor (Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain), and also in the perception of the beach retreat and in a parallel way, a risk for the tourism resources. In this work the detailed studies on beach morphodynamics have been developed as a basis for integrating proper beach management, beach natural dynamics and local users and economic agent interests. From this point of view a set of solutions are considered as the basis for a management policy that links beach science and beach use as a tourism resort resource.     

Upgrade of coastal defence structures against increased loadings caused by climate change: A first methodological approach

The paper presents a design exercise of upgrading a typical rock armoured revetment by modifying the structure profile and adding structure elements. Several concepts of upgrading are examined. A sea level rise corresponding to the mean of the IPCC 2007 predictions is used together with a slight increase in long-term wind/wave conditions as predicted for the North Sea by the Danish Coastal Authority. Both conditions of non-acceptable and acceptable increase in structure crest level are considered. Moreover, a scenario for steepening of the foreshore due to morphological changes caused by increased wave impacts is included. Only desk study tools are used for the upgrade designs. A simple comparative cost optimization analysis of the various upgrading solutions is presented, and conclusions are given for the preferred upgrading concept valid for the case study structure. A short discussion of the uncertainties related to upgrading design is included. The importance of physical model tests of the structures is underlined due to insufficient desk study tools for rubble mound upgrade design.     

ICZM and coastal defence perception by beach users: Lessons from the Mediterranean coastal area

Member States of the European Union and the Mediterranean Regional Sea need to elaborate national strategies for coastal management according to ICZM principles and to undertake national stock-taking, which must consider major actors, laws and institutions influencing the management of their national coastal zone. However, different approaches to coastal management and defence and various degrees of development and implementation of national ICZM strategies can be found. The research presented in this article aims to analyze the different situations and to contribute to the further development of a common approach in terms of methodology to establish stakeholder and users participation in ICZM. An extensive survey was conducted in five pilot sites along the European Mediterranean coastal zone (Greece, Italy and France) show beach visitors’ perception of ICZM, coastal erosion and coastal defence systems, and beach visitors’ Willingness To Pay (WTP) for beach defence. The survey yielded important information for coastal and beach managers. Surprisingly, the level of awareness about generic Coastal Zone Management was found to be rather low in all regions except Riccione Southern beach, Emilia-Romagna Region. In the Languedoc-Roussillon Region, this is justified by the fact that most of the respondents were not local people or beach visitors (other than recreational day-visitors). As regards coastal erosion it appears significant that, despite the lack of awareness demonstrated overall by stakeholders in the Region of East Macedonia and Thrace, visitors respond very positively to definitions and show awareness of the erosion process in their coastal system. In conclusion, in order to raise public awareness about ICZM, erosion and coastal defence systems, it is suggested that education, training and public awareness should be promoted as well as identification of local needs for the implementation of specific demand-driven studies.     

The coastal sustainability standard: A management systems approach to ICZM

This paper presents a systems-based appraisal methodology that has been designed specifically to consider the effectiveness of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) initiatives. Since ICZM is defined in terms of achieving sustainable development, any such initiative must therefore be capable of meeting the multiple and often conflicting objectives inherent in this ubiquitous concept. The methodology outlined here is designed to critically review ICZM in order to pinpoint areas of management weakness and determine the likely ‘success’ of the process. It represents an example of a management system, incorporates both qualitative and quantitative information, and is proposed as a ‘Coastal Sustainability Standard’ (CoSS). Initial field testing of the methodology has proved successful and shown that the approach holds some efficacy as a means of assessment.     

Environmental design of coastal defence in Lido di Dante,Italy

The aim of the paper is to present an integrated design of a coastal defence, by applying the knowledge gained within DELOS (EVK3-CT-2000-00041, www.delos.unibo.it) to an existing prototype case. For such purposes, Lido di Dante (Ravenna, Italy) was selected, being a well-documented site that suffers from severe erosion.The design method proposed follows the Design Guidelines for low-crested structures delivered by DELOS. After a preliminary analysis of the environmental context and constraints, different design alternatives were proposed and then modelled with the 2DH model suite MIKE 21 for representative hydrodynamics and meteorological conditions. Engineering, ecological and social effects of each alternative are then assessed, based on the results of numerical simulations and experience in the area. A global judgement of the alternatives is given including consideration of both construction and maintenance costs. The preferred scheme is then optimised through more detailed design and verified by numerical modelling. The need for such an integrated approach is finally discussed including limitations.     

Detecting a response to weak sea breezes in the New South Wales coastal ocean

Current meter data from the coastal ocean at Sydney, south‐eastern Australia, were analysed to seek evidence of a response to the prevailing summer sea breeze. A response to the sea breeze was found in the currents. This is significant since the magnitude of the sea breeze was small by comparison with winds associated with large‐scale pressure systems and the East Australian Current. Responses were determined by analysing short periods (3–5 days) of sea breeze activity as opposed to the whole 2‐month data set. The correlations between the alongshore nearshore diurnal‐period currents and the local wind stress during the sea breeze periods were significantly higher than the correlations during non‐sea‐breeze periods. Despite the stronger correlations the sea breeze could only account for around one‐quarter of the variance in the diurnal‐period currents. However, the detection of the response to the sea breeze is significant since the sea breeze has never previously been identified as a process for forcing alongshore nearshore currents on this shelf.     

Development and management of a coastal litter campaign: The voluntary coastal partnership approach

The Forth Estuary Forum's Coastal Litter Campaign aimed to develop and implement a community involvement and public awareness-raising programme intended to tackle and monitor the issue of marine litter in the Firth of Forth, Scotland. Beach cleans are an excellent public participation exercise, focusing the public's attention on the issue of marine litter and creating a sense of environmental responsibility. Raising public awareness is the only guaranteed way of reducing marine litter. A combination of education, provision of adequate waste reception facilities and enforcement of legislation is needed to tackle beach litter.     

Simultaneous measurements of transparency and irradiance in the coastal waters of North Wales

Simultaneous measurements of the diffuse attenuation coefficient, k, and the collinated beam attenuation coefficient, c, were made on a continuous basis at a near-shore site off the north coast of Anglesey, North Wales. A statistical approach to calculating the diffuse attenuation coefficient, k, in coastal waters allowed variations in transparency to be taken into consideration. The ratio of c:k varied throughout the year between approximately 11:1 and 5:1, indicating the changes in the scattering and absorption properties of the water column. The major contribution to coastal turbidity was from the scattering of light by suspended material with the relationship between scattering and absorption being dependent on the nature of the suspended matter.     

The onset of fish colonization in a coastal defence structure (Chioggia,Northern Adriatic Sea)

Coastal defence structures constitute the most extensive hard substrates of the Northwestern Adriatic Sea and are known to sustain rich benthic and nektonic communities. To appreciate the pattern of colonization, we studied the fish assemblage of a recently deployed breakwater. We compared observations from two years, the different sides (landward and seaward) of the barrier, and the two fringes, characterized by timing of work completion. The results indicate that colonization, still in process, follows different patterns among species. Benthic and necto-benthic species presented a striking increase in abundance and richness in the second year of colonization, while more mobile species did not evince any variation between years. Differences in mobility among species suggest that the latter group may have reached the breakwater from nearby artificial substrates, whereas the former colonized the new structure as recruits. In addition, fish assemblages differed between the two sides, likely due to variation in the environmental characteristics, and according to depth, reflecting species preferences.     

The impact of coastal defence structures (tetrapods) on decapod crustaceans in the southern North Sea

Although the use of coastal defence structures is expected to increase, little is known about the ecological impact of such structures on the natural environment. In particular, the temporal and spatial patterns of communities in association with artificial substrate are still poorly understood. This study examined possible effects of experimental tetrapod fields on the decapod crustacean community in a subtidal hard-bottom area in the southern North Sea. We performed in situ studies in the fields and along transects oriented away from the tetrapod fields. Species composition and abundances were assessed before and after the introduction of the artificial material. The study revealed a significant decrease of smaller, less vagile species (Pisidia longicornis, Pilumnus hirtellus, Galathea squamifera) over the entire study area in the years following the tetrapod introduction. For 2 species, Hyas araneus and Homarus gammarus, the tetrapods appeared to be highly attractive as habitat and shelter because their abundance increased over time. No distinct spatial or temporal effects were observed for mobile predatory crabs, such as Cancer pagurus and Liocarcinus spp. The results of the study demonstrate that possible effects of artificial structures on macro-invertebrates in temperate hard-bottom areas are highly species-specific and depend on the size, lifestyle and ecological requirements of the species. This work highlights the importance of long-term studies. Our findings clearly indicate that more time is needed to distinguish between natural and anthropogenic influences on species distributions.     

Managing coastal evolution in a more sustainable manner. The Conscience approach

This paper summarises the main findings of the Conscience research project, whose primary objective was to define and validate, through pilot applications, a methodology to support the implementation, for European coasts, of concepts such as coastal resilience, favorable sediment status, strategic sediment reservoirs and coastal sediment cells. The Conscience conceptual framework to managing coastal erosion has proved to be an efficient tool, because it provides a consistent approach where objective (data) and subjective (desired status) information are analyzed and compared from the standpoint of a consensus target (objective). Moreover, this is done using the best available knowledge and observations, considering always their level of uncertainty, to conduct a sustainable management policy for coastal erosion. The methodology has been tested in field cases from The Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and Ireland, to cover different time and space scales, together with a wide range of processes and different management objectives.