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Nature-Based Coastal Protection

Leveraging ecosystems to reduce coastal risks and enhance resilience.

mysimulator teamUpdated June 2026≈ 3 min read▶ Open Nature-Based Coastal Protection Model simulation

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Dune restoration and beach nourishment

Mangroves and saltmarshes

Coral and oyster reefs

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Design and Modeling

Hydrodynamics, wave attenuation, sediment transport, and co-benefits.

Examples

Example: Hybrid Reef-Living Shoreline

Site selection and baseline surveys.

Design modules; permit and build.

Monitor wave climate and habitat gains.

Frequently asked questions

Where do NBS outperform gray?

Low-to-moderate energy coasts with space for ecosystems.

What about maintenance?

Adaptive management with periodic monitoring.

How to quantify benefits?

Model attenuation and value co-benefits.

Permitting?

Streamline with guidelines and evidence.

Community roles?

Co-design and stewardship increase success.

Costs?

Lower lifecycle costs with co-benefits.

Data needs?

Bathymetry, habitats, storms, and socioeconomics.

Equity?

Ensure access and benefits for vulnerable groups.

Risks?

Storm damage and species shifts; plan redundancy.

Monitoring?

Set KPIs for geomorphology and ecology.

Try it live

Everything above runs in your browser — open Nature-Based Coastal Protection Model and change the parameters while it is running. Nothing is installed, nothing is uploaded, the whole model lives in one tab.

▶ Open Nature-Based Coastal Protection Model simulation