Coastal Protection measures

• Hard engineering

It is the construction of physical structures to protect the coasts from the erosive power of waves

 Example of Hard engineering: Wire cages containing small rocks are used to form walls to protect coast. This method is cheap butat the same time, this also ruins the natural beauty of the coast, easily destroyed by powerful waves and the wires will rust.

• Soft engineering

It is the use of ecological principles to reduce erosion and to attain the stabilization and safety of the shorelines, while beautifying habitats, improving aesthetics and saving money.

Example of soft engineering: Sand dunes, it also provides habitats for animals like migratory birds. We stabilize these dunes by planting vegetation on them.


Credits: http://olevelgeography.blogspot.com/2008/05/coast-soft-engineering-growth-of-coral.html
http://www.slideshare.net/guestaeb4fc1/coastal-protection-soft-engineering
http://www.slideshare.net/vickikoh/coastal-management-4