Conserving intertidal habitats: what is the potential of ecological engineering to mitigate impacts of coastal structures?

Abstract

Globally, coastal human population growth and urbanization continues in a fast pace, while climatic change leads to stormier seas and rising tides. Both driving forces jointly generate a strong and increasing demand for land reclamation and infrastructure protection in coastal areas which require engineered defence structures such as sea walls. This study aimed to review ecological impacts of coastal engineered structures on intertidal ecosystems, update the current status of ecological engineering to mitigate these impacts, and evaluate the effectiveness of such mitigations in relation to the conservation of intertidal habitats and biodiversity. Engineered structures alter important physical, chemical and biological processes of intertidal habitats, and ...