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Beach Management Tools: Concepts, Methodologies, and Case Studies in Coastal Research

Giovanni Mitchell

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Published in Beach Management Tools Concepts Methodologies And Case Studies (Coastal Research Library 24)

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Beaches are dynamic environments that are constantly shaped by waves, currents, and tides. These forces can cause beaches to erode, which can damage infrastructure and property. To protect beaches from erosion, a variety of beach management tools can be used.

Beach management tools can be divided into two main categories: structural and non-structural. Structural beach management tools involve the construction of physical structures to protect beaches from erosion. Non-structural beach management tools involve the use of non-physical measures to protect beaches from erosion.

Beach Management Tools Concepts Methodologies and Case Studies (Coastal Research Library 24)

Beach Management Tools - Concepts, Methodologies and Case Studies (Coastal Research Library Book 24)

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Structural Beach Management Tools

Structural beach management tools include:

Seawalls: Seawalls are vertical walls built along the shoreline to protect beaches from erosion. Seawalls can be made of a variety of materials, including concrete, steel, and wood.
Revetments: Revetments are sloping walls built along the shoreline to protect beaches from erosion. Revetments can be made of a variety of materials, including concrete, stone, and wood.
Groins: Groins are structures built perpendicular to the shoreline to trap sand and prevent erosion. Groins can be made of a variety of materials, including concrete, steel, and wood.
Jetties: Jetties are structures built parallel to the shoreline to protect harbors and inlets from erosion. Jetties can be made of a variety of materials, including concrete, steel, and wood.

Non-Structural Beach Management Tools

Non-structural beach management tools include:

Beach nourishment: Beach nourishment involves the placement of sand on beaches to restore them to their natural state. Beach nourishment can be done using a variety of methods, including mechanical dredging, hydraulic dredging, and pneumatic dredging.
Dune restoration: Dune restoration involves the planting of vegetation on dunes to help stabilize them and prevent erosion. Dune restoration can be done using a variety of methods, including planting seedlings, transplanting plants, and seeding.
Sand fencing: Sand fencing is a temporary structure used to trap sand and help build dunes. Sand fencing can be made of a variety of materials, including wood, plastic, and metal.
Beach scraping: Beach scraping involves the removal of excess sand from beaches to create a more natural beach profile. Beach scraping can be done using a variety of methods, including bulldozers, graders, and scrapers.

Case Studies

The following are case studies of beach management tools that have been used to protect beaches from erosion:

Seawalls: Seawalls have been used to protect beaches from erosion for centuries. One example of a seawall is the Great Sea Wall of Galveston, which was built in the early 1900s to protect the city of Galveston, Texas, from hurricanes. The Great Sea Wall is a massive concrete structure that has been effective in protecting Galveston from erosion for over 100 years.
Revetments: Revetments have been used to protect beaches from erosion for centuries. One example of a revetment is the revetment at Ocean City, Maryland. The Ocean City revetment is a sloping concrete structure that has been effective in protecting Ocean City from erosion for over 50 years.
Groins: Groins have been used to protect beaches from erosion for centuries. One example of a groin is the groin at Daytona Beach, Florida. The Daytona Beach groin is a concrete structure that has been effective in protecting Daytona Beach from erosion for over 100 years.
Jetties: Jetties have been used to protect harbors and inlets from erosion for centuries. One example of a jetty is the jetty at Sandy Hook, New Jersey. The Sandy Hook jetty is a massive concrete structure that has been effective in protecting Sandy Hook from erosion for over 100 years.
Beach nourishment: Beach nourishment has been used to restore beaches to their natural state for centuries. One example of beach nourishment is the beach nourishment project at Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Virginia Beach beach nourishment project has been effective in restoring Virginia Beach to its natural state and protecting it from erosion.
Dune restoration: Dune restoration has been used to stabilize dunes and prevent erosion for centuries. One example of dune restoration is the dune restoration project at Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The Cape Cod dune restoration project has been effective in stabilizing dunes and preventing erosion on Cape Cod.
Sand fencing: Sand fencing has been used to trap sand and help build dunes for centuries. One example of sand fencing is the sand fencing project at Padre Island, Texas. The Padre Island sand fencing project has been effective in trapping sand and helping to build dunes on Padre Island.
Beach scraping: Beach scraping has been used to create a more natural beach profile for centuries. One example of beach scraping is the beach scraping project at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Myrtle Beach beach scraping project has been effective in creating a more natural beach profile on Myrtle Beach.

Beach management tools are essential for protecting beaches from erosion. A variety of beach management tools are available, and the best tool for a particular beach will depend on the specific conditions at that beach. By using the appropriate beach management tools, it is possible to protect beaches from erosion and preserve them for future generations.

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