Managing change at the coast by the ‘Shifting Shores’ approach

landscapes

Brownsea

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The island of Brownsea is a subject to coastal erosion and rising sea levels. Parts of the harbour are already changing, a phenomenon which was already predicted by old data from 50 years ago: some parts of UK, including Brownsea, are sinking. Since the 1970s new infrastructures have been built along the coastline such as; buildings, metal fences, wood fences, and more to prevent the negative impacts of these changes. However, these defences have started to degrade, therefore the National Trust’s objective was to solve this erosion issue by removing the defences to establish a healthy coastline shaped by natural forces, with low-cost solutions.

What is the project?

Implementing natural and healthy defences along the Brownsea coastlines to prevent the shifting of its shores.

Project: Managing change at the coast by the ‘Shifting Shores’ approach

Place: Brownsea, UK

Thematic: Landscapes

Partners:

Brownsea – National Trust (UK)

What ARE the objectiveS?

Removing the defences made access to the beaches easier and restored the beauty of the shores.
Making sure the sea can come and go naturally, carrying and dropping sediments as wave energy allows
Shift priorities towards the protection of critical sites without using or building major infrastructures: the aim is no longer to protect the coast as it is at all costs but rather to preserve it for as long as possible in a non-intrusive way
Helping wildlife adapt to their new habitats naturally.

How?

The National Trust conducted cost-effectiveness studies and agreed on a Coastal Adaptation Strategy based on the National Trust’s coastal policy ‘Shifting Shores’.
Application of the principle “work with nature, not against it”. This process works better the higher the percentage of whole coastlines that are allowed to erode naturally.
Opening the coastline to natural erosional processes, but where valuable infrastructure is prone to occasional flooding, they decided to replace massive engineering work with small “Floodstop” units (0.5-meter high) installed when needed in front of the buildings to prevent small-scale flooding.

POSITIVE IMPACTS

The removal of the defences made the access to the beaches easier and restored the beauty of the shores
The sea can now come and go naturally, carrying and dropping sediments as wave energy allows, which allows a facilitated roll-back and a natural shaping of the coast
Priorities shifted towards the protection of key sites without using or building major infrastructures: the aim is no longer to protect the coast as it is at all costs, but rather to preserve it for as long as possible in a non-intrusive way
Wildlife and their habitats enjoy more space and have greater chance to adapt naturally and gradually to the changes of the shores