Objective

Compensate shore erosion and restore the recreational value of the beach.

Description

Beach nourishment or replenishment is the artificial placement of sand on an eroded shore to maintain the amount of sand present in the foundation of the coast.  This helps to compensate for natural erosion and to protect the area against storm surge. The process involves dredging material from a source area to feed the beach where erosion is occurring.

Expected results

Improved beach resilience. Benefits for coastal tourism, recreation activities and coastal habitats preservation.

Result indicators

Area of saved and protected coast [m²]

Involved actors

Local government and stakeholders.

Expected timeline for action

• Short term (1-4 years)

Best practices

• UK
• Germany
• Flanders
• Netherlands
• Spain
• Marche Region – Italy
• Apulia Region – Italy

Criticalities

The process can negatively affect foreshore ecosystems with the burial of biota, the loss of habitats in nearshore sandbars, or the disruption of birds and other animals’ nesting, if it is not carried out properly.

Scope of the action

• Adaptation

Type of proposed actions

• Green

Sector of action

• Coastal management
• Tourism and leisure

Climate impacts

• Coastal erosion
• Floods

Implementation scale

• Municipality
• Province

Source

https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/metadata/adaptation-options/beach-and-shoreface-nourishment