Beach Preservation

How do we take care of our beaches?

What is the purpose of a beach if not to sunbathe, surf and swim? Coastline property has become the domain of the elite with only the wealthy able to live on the beach or own summer getaways. But with global warming and the erosion of our beaches these people and the businesses in the area are in danger of losing their property as the coastline continues to move further inland. How are we going to prevent the loss of so much land to the sea and maintain the environment in these areas for the wildlife that inhabits it?

Beaches are an important zone that act as a breaker against storms and help to protect the buildings and roads that lie behind it. Without the beach to absorb the storm and the waves water would flood all of the lands lying along the coast. We need the beaches to act as a barrier. Beaches are also natural habitats for a rich ecosystem that includes birds and turtles and many other forms of life. Without the sand these habitats would disappear and along with them the life they support. But what else are beaches for? Beaches are important areas for recreation and as such provide a boost to the local economy and many jobs in the tourist industry. So all in all, beaches are an important facet of our life.

But why do they erode? Various factors contribute to the loss of our coastline including storms or other environmental acts or something such as creating a dam further inland that prevents the passage of sand down the river to the beach and sea, all contribute to the erosion.

Over the last couple of decades it has become more and more apparent that we need to find a way to preserve our beaches and different methods have been attempted to secure this end. Many areas now impose strict regulations regarding building along the shore and require the buildings to be a certain distance from the shoreline and to be elevated on stilts or pylons. While this doesn't slow the erosion that occurs it does help preserve the buildings in the area. Structures such as sea walls and jetty's, or boardwalks, were constructed. Sea walls run parallel to the beach and protect what is behind it, but they don't prevent the loss of sand. Jetty's or boardwalks are perpendicular to the beach and these can prevent the movement of sand from one area to another but can only help with the erosion if sand is added to the beach on a continuing basis. Engineers specialising in coastal restoration have discovered that with a combination of elements such as structures and adding sand to where it is being lost, we can preserve our beaches for many years to come and for the enjoyment of our children and our children's childre. By using the expertise of both engineers and geologists, both of whom are experts in beach preservation and coastal restoration, we can ensure that our beaches provide decades more of recreation, natural habitat and much needed revenue.