In the LIFE Coast Adapt project, nature-based methods for managing the negative effects of coastal erosion have been tested in six coastal municipalities in Skåne. Region Skåne has been the coordinator and Lund University has been responsible for monitoring the methods and inventorying species at the sites. Testing the project's methods required extensive collaboration between the participants - both in the field, in designing measures and in sharing knowledge.
Pål Axel Olsson, professor of plant ecology at Lund University and BECC PI and Susann Milenkovski, environmental strategist at Region Skåne, were both involved in the project and shared their experiences and results.
Beach nourishment, dune formation and sand re-circulation gave the best results
In this project, working with nature-based methods meant making adaptations based on the natural conditions of an area, using nature as a model. Of the methods tested, a combination of sand nourishment and dune formation provided both protection against erosion and increased biological diversity. In simple terms, beach nourishment means that sand is laid out, both at the edge of the beach and outside the wave breaking zone. This makes the beaches more gently sloping, which reduces the impact of waves and makes the beaches more resistant to erosion. By supplementing with dune formation, more work is also being done on biodiversity:
– With dune formation, we remove invasive species, such as beach rose (Rosa rugosa), and create or promote the formation of new dunes. The beach rose can be replaced with dune grass, such as marram grass, which thrives on dynamic sandy beaches and is good for the beach ecosystem and biodiversity, says Pål Axel Olsson.
However, extracting sand from the seabed for beach nourishment carries some risks, not least for marine ecosystems. To retrieve a large amount of sand for beach nourishment, various permits are therefore required. One solution that Lomma and Helsingborg have been working on is therefore the re-circulation of sand in their municipalities, says Susann Milenkovski.
– They have taken sand from their own municipality, for example by utilising sand left over from other projects, such as dredging harbours. They have also worked with small-scale beach nourishment that does not require a permit, but where a notification to the county administrative board is sufficient.
Eelgrass is good - but mainly where it already exists
A big part of LIFE Coast Adapt was planting eelgrass. However, it turned out to have little effect on erosion-prone sites. Eelgrass seems to already exist where conditions are favourable, but difficult to establish in more exposed areas. However, Susann Milenkovski wants to emphasise the importance of eelgrass for biodiversity:
– Where we did plant eelgrass, we saw an immediate increase in biodiversity - with the reservation that we only measured one year after planting. But to strengthen a biotope out in the sea, it may be recommended to plant eelgrass as a compensatory measure in a more protected place than the erosion-prone areas we chose in the project.
Biodiversity important to residents when protecting the coast
As part of measuring biodiversity where the methods were tested, pollinators and terrestrial animals on the beaches were inventoried. It turned out that there were many red-listed species, even in the most extreme environments, and where tourism and beach clearing are prioritised at the expense of biodiversity. But even in these places, small steps can be taken to further enhance biodiversity, says Pål Axel Olsson:
– By saving small islands of vegetation, and clusters of seagrass and seaweed, rare species can also thrive. Beach visitors also appreciate these ‘small islands’ of vegetation as it gives a more inviting impression, and it can also be nice to lay your towel there.
There also seems to be general support among the residents in the affected areas for the protection and conservation of coastal biodiversity, says Susann Milenkovski. She refers to a socio-economic assessment of the impact of coastal erosion on society that was also carried out in the project:
– It included questions such as how much time people spent at the seashore, how familiar they were with the problem of coastal erosion, and what they considered most important to protect from coastal erosion - such as houses, roads and habitats. Interestingly, it was very clear that the coastal environment, with its habitats, plants and animals, was the most important thing to protect.
Useful results on a large scale
The methods that LIFE Coast Adapt has identified as particularly effective can be used on a large scale. In a Swedish context, the coastal municipalities in Skåne and Halland are perhaps most affected.
– But in principle, anywhere in the world where there are coasts that are exposed to increased extreme weather and have no land uplift, our results can be useful, says Pål Axel Olsson.
At the same time, conditions vary from one municipality to another. Working against coastal erosion requires a lot of resources in terms of budget, maintenance and dialogue, says Susann Milenkovski:
– The coast is a dynamic place. The impact of storms and other weather varies from year to year, so one lesson learnt from the project is to set aside funds annually, even in years when coastal protection work needs to be less extensive. Much like many municipalities set aside funds for winter road maintenance.
As LIFE Coast Adapt has entered its final phase, there is an established dialogue between important social actors, the work processes for working with the various methods have been streamlined and the municipalities involved in the project are continuing their work. Region Skåne is trying to disseminate information about the project's results to as many people as possible. Most recently at the Nordic Council of Ministers, where all the Nordic countries met and exchanged experiences on how to work with nature-based solutions.
– I hope that cooperation on coastal protection continues to grow, because it requires collaboration, coordination and a lot of dialogue, concludes Susann Milenkovski.
More information about the project
LIFE Coast Adapt was a collaboration between Ystad Municipality, Lomma Municipality, Helsingborg Municipality, the County Administrative Board of Skåne, Lund University, Skåne Municipalities and Region Skåne. The project was funded by the EU LIFE programme and the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management.
The project has tested the following seven methods:
- Restoring sandy shore habitats
- Planting eelgrass
- Removing hard structures
- Creating wetlands
- Erosion protection of rivers
- Beach nourishment
- Establish natural reefs
Contact for more information or study visits:
Study visits, results or interest in collaborations
Susann Milenkovski, environmental strategist at Region Skåne
E-mail: susann [dot] milenkovski [at] skane [dot] se (susann[dot]milenkovski[at]skane[dot]se)
Scientific methods
Pål Axel Olsson, Professor of Plant Ecology at the Department of Biology and member of the strategic research area BECC at CEC.
Pål Axel Olsson's profile in Lund University's research portal - portal.research.lu.se
