A Plethora of Erosion Strategies (Part 1)
by: Emillie Rose
In an age where ecological strategies are both more common and needed, we as humans are taking a variety of approaches to slow erosion on our shorelines.
Research and experience are showing that a lot of hardened structures are not only unreliable, but can cause further erosion to our own properties, as well as our neighbors.’
Through research, innovation, and teamwork, new methods are being created and put to work on our shorelines. Let us take a quick glance at some of the strategies going into place near us.
Wattle Fences
(“Shore Up!” in Cocagne, NB. Photo by E. Rose 2023)
Wattles are woven fence structures that have been used for centuries. More traditionally used just as a physical barrier, it now has a place on the shoreline. In sandy areas, the presence of this
structure can give protection and stability to the slope behind it, while also collecting sand and particles, slowly rebuilding a beach or small dune.
This protective buffer also creates safe habitat for plants to grow, and the use of natural materials feeds these plants and the overall ecosystem!
Oyster Reefs
Masses of oysters cling together, residing in the intertidal and subtidal zones of saltwater environments, they offer “absorbing and dampening the stress of wave action” (Scyphers et al., 2011) when “submerged up to 5 cm above the crest of the reef” (Morris et al., 2019, p. 1707).
Disrupting the energy of the water has shown to help protect adjacent marshland from such profound impact as would be experienced without the use of oyster reefs.
To mimic the naturally occurring oyster reefs, environmental groups have been using shells of oysters such as those discarded at oyster restaurants. The shells are used to fill mesh bags which are then stacked in the intertidal zone waters to function as breakwaters.
This has been successful at building back marshland in Florida by the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (PBS NewsHour, 2018). Not only do the bags of oyster shells disrupt wave energy before it reaches the marshland, but it also creates habitat for many aquatic animals such as crabs and fish.
Areas from around the world have had remarkable success with oyster shell reefs including Louisiana, Virginia, Texas and various communities in Australia.
Vegetative Materials
(Photo by E. Rose 2023)
Using evergreen tree boughs, seaweed, and hay not only can these materials function as food for live plantings they are also protective against harsh winds and salt spray from the ocean.
Helping Nature Heal installations are not ‘one-and-done’ projects. Coastal vegetative landscapes must be maintained after they are installed. The weakest day of a vegetated shoreline is the day of installation. We are experts at providing the proper care to give our Living Shoreline installations the food, water, fungal impregnation and strategic placement required to be successful, sustainable and long-lasting.
Banks, bluffs, marshland, dune systems and uplands all benefit when wind and wave energy of each property is considered. Selecting distinct species of trees, shrubs, perennials, grains and grasses for each property plays a vital role. The vegetation of what is naturally occurring in the space of what is thriving is what should be mimicked. Plant recipes are created in the office and arranged on site according to design of root strength variability and thickness of vegetation required at the different challenge areas.
Fiber Rolls and Mats
Natural fibers in rolls have been used for a while to slow erosion on slopes. You may even see these at work along highways! When secured in place with natural materials or even plants, these can be useful in a variety of spaces. The material itself covers exposed soil, slowing its erosion, while also slowly breaking down and integrating into the space.
These materials can also be seeded over and as grains and grasses grow, their root systems will help to continue holding the fiber rolls to the soil.
(Photo by Eastcoast Site Work)
Helping Nature Heal has been in business since 2001, with increasing coastal resiliency ideas we have restored many ecosystems successfully using our methods including wattle fencing and vegetative materials.
Reach out to one of our experts – we are eager to meet with you on your property and gather information of your challenges and hopes for your property. Live far away and cannot attend the site visit to your summer home? Not to worry, we will gather video and images of your property to present to you in our summary – we can discuss things further with you via video chat.