VIEWPOINT
NATURAL RESILIENCE Using Nature-based Solutions to Enhance Coastal Protection By Joanna Eyquem
Canada does not yet have a strategic planning framework or standard classification of approaches for coastal risk manage-
Coastal flooding and erosion are a direct threat to the
ment. Coastal risk management responses identified by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) include
health and safety of people living in coastal communities,
Protection, Accommodation, Retreat and Avoidance, as well
and cause damage to local infrastructure and property. The
as non-intervention.
majority of Canada’s coastal population is located along the
A suite of options should be appraised to select appropri-
East (Atlantic) and West (Pacific) coastlines, where sea lev-
ate approaches along Canada’s east and west coasts. Coastal
els are rising due to irreversible climate change.
protection measures can be divided into two key categories: • Grey Infrastructure: hard, engineered coastal protection
Action is required NOW to manage the growing risks to coastal com-
measures, and; Nature-Based Solutions: measures that depend on, or
munities. A recent report from the University of Waterloo’s Intact Centre describes how Canada can scale-up the use of nature-based solutions, in
mimic, natural systems to manage flood and erosion risk,
tandem with ‘grey’ infrastructure, to protect communities along the East and
Nature-based solutions are further subdivided into those that
West coastlines. Importantly, action must consider natural processes along
are:
the coast to a greater extent than has occurred to date. Reduction of flood-
• Predominantly sediment-based, such as adding sediment
ing and erosion at one site, if not carefully designed, can cause instability
or sand to beaches (a process known as beach nourishment) • Predominantly vegetation-based, such as saltmarsh or
further along the coast and degradation of coastal ecosystems on which
coastal wetland restoration.
communities depend.
Table 1: Overview of coastal protection measures utilized in Canada
Overview of coastal protection measures utilized in Canada Grey Infrastructure
Underutilized Nature-Based Solutions Predominantly sediment-based
• Seawalls
• Dynamic Revetment* / Cobble Berm
• Detached / Nearshore Breakwaters
• Submerged Sills / Perched Beach
• Attached Breakwaters / Headlands
• Beach Nourishment
• Submerged Breakwaters / Reefs
• Island Restoration or Enhancement
• Permeable Revetments* • Impermeable Revetments* / Retaining Walls
• Groynes • Storm Surge Barriers / Tidal Sluices • Sea Dikes / Embankments / Levees 8
* Revetments are sloped coastal treatments used to protect the coastline. SABMag - WINTER 2022
Predominantly vegetation-based
• Dune Restoration or Stabilization • Cliff Stabilization / Revegetation • Salt Marsh and Coastal Wetland Restoration
• Submerged Aquatic Vegetation • Bioengineering - Coir Rolls (made of coconut fibre)
• Bioengineering - Natural Fibre Blankets
