Study Compares Natural and Hybrid Infrastructure Options for Coastal Protection

"The resilience of U.S. coastal communities to storms, flooding, erosion and other threats can be strengthened when they are protected by natural infrastructure such as marshes, reefs, and beaches, or with hybrid approaches, such as a 'living shoreline' — a combination of natural habitat and built infrastructure," according to a press release announcing a new study from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The study, published in the Environmental Science and Policy journal, assesses the ability of design and infrastructure features such as those listed above to protect coastal communities from flooding and erosion while achieving other positive benefits. The study also considers trade-offs between such options. So, for instance, "[t]he study points out that there is still a need for built approaches in some locations. However, natural or hybrid approaches can be used in many cases."