Coastal Hardening

Coastal hardening is the process of adding structures such as jetties or sea walls along the coasts. These structures create trouble for the eco systems. They offer less friendly environment for species. They increase erosion. Also, they cause habitats such as wetlands and intertidal zones to shrink.

Key Facts

Around 14% of sheltered coastline and 9% of open shorelines in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans are hardened. More than 30 world cities have artificial infrastructure replaced with artificial structures. The coastal hardening occurs only in those coastal areas with unconsolidated and steep shorelines.

Impacts of coastal hardening

• Coastal hardening will lead to loss of natural habitat.
• There is a strong correlation between coastal hardening and the invasive species. Ports are the major hotspots of invasive species. They reach the ports through hulls and ballast water. As these species find that the structures are not colonized. Therefore, they spread to the surrounding areas.
• Coastal hardening leads to beach loses. Beaches are critical ecosystems. They act as storm buffers.
• It leads to “coastal squeeze”. Coastal squeeze is inter-tidal habitat loss.

Factors governing coastal hardening

The indicators of coastal hardening in a region are directly related to its population, shipping and boating parameters (that is higher number of port visits).