Ewan Garvey, one of Project Seagrass’ Interns for the 2025-26 academic year, explores how seagrass can provide protection for coastal communities. As the seasons transition from autumn into winter, storms often become a pressing concern for coastal communities. In recent years, the growing impacts of climate change have become increasingly
Scientists have warned efforts to protect and restore marine habitats along the UK’s coastline could be hindered by a lack of public knowledge about these initiatives. In the face of climate change and rising sea levels, nature-based coastal solutions (NBCS) are emerging as a sustainable and environmentally friendly way to
Ewan Garvey, one of Project Seagrass’ Interns for the 2025-26 academic year, explores how seagrass can provide protection for coastal communities. As the seasons transition from autumn into winter, storms often become a pressing concern for coastal communities. In recent years, the growing impacts of climate change have become increasingly clear: extreme weather events once considered “once-in-a-decade” now seem to strike far more frequently. In response, governments and communities are looking for protective solutions, investing heavily in sea defence systems, ranging from sandbags to seawalls. But what if nature has already developed a solution? Enter seagrass. Seagrass’s unique characteristics make it a powerful ally in protecting coastlines. Unlike concrete walls or other flood defence systems, seagrass meadows work with natural processes to reduce erosion and flooding, while also creating vital habitat for marine life. How Seagrass Protects Our Shores Root FixationMuch like how trees stabilise the soil in forests, seagrass root systems anchor sand and mud in place, reducing sediments from being washed away during storms. This helps to maintain the structure of beaches, providing more stable coastal habitats. Dissipation of Wave EnergyWhen waves pass over seagrass meadows, the blades create friction. This slows the water, disperses energy, and reduces the force that reaches the shoreline. This means water travels up the beach less and can lessen flooding events. Challenges Hard-engineered coastal defences such as rock armour can cost upwards of £1 million for just a 35-metre section. Seagrass restoration is also expensive, and to date has been largely funded through philanthropic and government funding mechanisms. Seagrass restoration is not without challenges; newly planted seeds are vulnerable to being washed away or buried by shifting sediment before they can properly establish. Seagrass also requires good water quality; too much pollution can prevent seedlings from developing. In many areas, improving river and coastal water quality must go hand in hand with restoration for projects to succeed. A Blended Solution Is seagrass the silver bullet for coastal protection? Not entirely. By blending natural and engineered approaches, we can create more sustainable, resilient coastlines—ones that not only protect us from storms but also support thriving marine ecosystems. Combining engineered solutions such as breakwaters or seawalls with seagrass meadows could reduce wave energy and sediment loss, which would lower the stress on the artificial defences. This could result in cheaper, smaller sea defence structures, reducing both environmental impact and cost. References and Extra Research “Seagrass as a nature-based solution for coastal protection” by Forrester, Leonardi, Cooper & Kumar (2024) Infantes et al. (2022) — Seagrass roots strongly reduce cliff erosion rates in sandy sediments Donatelli et al. (2018) — “Seagrass Impact on Sediment Exchange Between Tidal Flats and Salt Marsh, and The Sediment Budget of Shallow Bays” Bricheno, L. M., et al. “Climate change impacts on storms and waves relevant to the UK and Ireland.” MCCIP Science Review 2025 (2025).
Scientists have warned efforts to protect and restore marine habitats along the UK’s coastline could be hindered by a lack of public knowledge about these initiatives. In the face of climate change and rising sea levels, nature-based coastal solutions (NBCS) are emerging as a sustainable and environmentally friendly way to protect our shores. These innovative solutions—which include living shorelines, engineered reefs, and restoration of saltmarshes and dunes—offer a greener alternative to traditional hard defenses like seawalls and barriers. However, new research reveals that while NBCS are preferred by many for their environmental benefits, public understanding of their effectiveness lags behind. In a study published in the Journal of Environmental Management, researchers surveyed over 500 UK residents and found a striking divide between public preference and their perception of effectiveness. Most respondents expressed a preference for nature-based coastal solutions due to their sustainability and aesthetic appeal. Yet hard defenses, which were long-established and visibly effective, remained widely thought-of as the most reliable way to mitigate coastal risks like flooding and erosion. Spatial distribution in preferences and perceived effectives for the two active coastal management strategies considered: hard defenses and nature-based coastal solutions. Credit: Journal of Environmental Management (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123413 The study highlights a critical knowledge gap. Although NBCS offer significant environmental advantages- including carbon sequestration, enhanced biodiversity, and community resilience—their long-term effectiveness is not well understood by the public. This disconnect could hinder efforts to implement NBCS at scale, despite growing calls from the coastal science community to adopt these solutions as a cornerstone of sustainable coastal management. To bridge this gap, researchers emphasize the need for greater public engagement and education about nature-based initiatives. Collaborative approaches, such as systems mapping, could play an important role in involving local communities in the decision-making process. By fostering dialogue among residents, scientists, and policymakers, systems mapping can help ensure that coastal management strategies are both inclusive and effective. Dr. Scott Mahadeo, from the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance at the University of Portsmouth, explains, “Nature based coastal solutions offer a promising path toward sustainable coastal management, combining environmental benefits with resilience against climate challenges. However, our findings highlight a clear knowledge gap between the scientific community’s advocacy for these solutions and the public’s understanding of their effectiveness. Bridging this gap through meaningful dialogue and inclusive decision-making will be key to fostering widespread support and ensuring robust, long-term coastal policies.” The study highlights that coastal zones hold deep socio-cultural significance, from family heritage and community cohesion to recreation and environmental stewardship. Researchers say that any changes to these landscapes can profoundly impact the lives and identities of coastal residents and users. This is why public support and understanding are crucial for the successful adoption of NBCS and other coastal management strategies. Dr. Mahadeo adds, “As the UK and the world grapple with the challenges of climate change, balancing innovative solutions with community needs is essential. The path forward lies in building trust, sharing knowledge, and working together to safeguard our coasts for generations to come.” The University of Portsmouth is involved in several projects that use nature as a potential solution to climate-related or pollution-related issues. These include the Rapid Reduction of Nutrients in Transitional Waters (RaNTrans) project, which is exploring how nature-based approaches can improve and protect marine ecosystems. Restoration projects are also underway across the south coast of England, including the pioneering Blue Marine Foundation’s Solent Oyster Restoration Project, and the UK’s first seascape restoration project the Solent Seascape Project. Both projects are based at the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Marine Sciences in Langstone Harbour, and aim to restore multiple habitats such as oyster reefs, seagrass meadows, saltmarsh and birds, to reconnect and revive our ailing coastal waters. This latest study was conducted by a team of interdisciplinary scientists—in coastal geomorphology, environmental economics, and human geography—and focused on public perceptions of coastal management in the UK. Using innovative survey and analysis techniques, the authors hope the research will help develop more sustainable and inclusive coastal policies. More information: This article is republished from PHYS.ORG and provided by the University of Portsmouth.
