Rebecca L Morris, Erin Campbell-Hooper, Melanie J Bishop, Catherine E Lovelock, Ryan J Lowe, Elisabeth MA Strain, Sean D Connell, Bronwyn M Gillanders, Lindsay B Hutley, Mariana Mayer-Pinto, Megan I Saunders, Nathan J Waltham and Stephen E Swearer (2022) Current extent and future opportunities for living shorelines in Australia. Report to the National Environmental Science Program. National Centre for Coasts and Climate, University of Melbourne.
Overview
Living shoreline approaches to coastal defence are being increasingly utilised across Australia. Beach renourishment and dune restoration approaches have been used the longest and the most often, usually to protect built infrastructure. Hybrid mangrove approaches are being increasingly used, primarily to protect or restore natural assets. Shellfish reefs, saltmarsh and seagrass are less popular and less studied, while kelp forest and coral reef restoration have not been used for coastal protection in Australia. Technical guidelines should be developed for each living shoreline approach, and a living shorelines options analysis would be a useful tool for coastal managers when addressing coastal hazards. Research programs and funding into less studied approaches, such as seagrass and kelp forests, is needed.
This project conducted a stakeholder survey and literature review to develop the first Living Shorelines Australia database. The online database provides a starting point to upscaling the use of living shorelines as standard practice for coastal hazard risk management.
