'Hardening' coastlines threaten ecosystems

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-10-22 02:00

Australia; New Zealand; International

Coastal infrastructure like seawalls, wharves, and piers has replaced more than half of the coastline associated with 30 global urban centres, a new study shows. The researchers say this global ‘coastal hardening’ replaces rocky reefs, sandy beaches, mudflats, and mangroves, and will impact coastal ecosystems in a number of ways - including habitat changes and increased spread of invasive species. The researchers use New Zealand as a case study, forecasting a 50-76% expansion of coastal infrastructure over the next 25 years.

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From:

Journal/
conference: Nature Sustainability

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Cawthron Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS), Macquarie University, University of Auckland

Funder: This research was funded by New Zealand Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment research grants C01X1511 (O.F.) and CAWX1904 (O.F.) and internal resources provided by the authors’ institutions.

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