Living Shorelines Collection

Nature-based, ecologically enhanced, soft, or living shoreline techniques are increasingly being used to stabilize shorelines. The map shows how researchers working with the National Estuarine Research Reserve System have been helping address key information needs identified by landowners, regulators, and contractors, including questions about living shoreline placement, design, and long-term performance.

A variety of living shoreline techniques have been shown to reduce erosion and stabilize shorelines while protecting habitat. These alternative techniques have the potential to provide greater resilience to physical forces and maintain and enhance important ecological services, while being cost-competitive with traditional, hardened, approaches. The projects below have sought to address questions about living shoreline placement, design, and long-term performance, as well as develop tools, such as guidance for site assessments and post-installation monitoring, to ease the burden of getting living shorelines into practice. The images below show how shoreline stabilization strategies vary across locations in order to suit the conditions present.

Visit the project pages to learn more, or explore materials from the April 11, 2019 Panel Webinar: New Research to Inform Living Shoreline Design, Placement and Monitoring.