An Integrated Approach to Coastal Hazard Protection

An integrated approach that combines coastal hazard protection and coral reef resilience is vital for adaptive coastal communities in the face of changing climate
Published in Sustainability
An Integrated Approach to Coastal Hazard Protection
Like

Read the paper

SpringerLink
SpringerLink SpringerLink

Evaluating the feasibility and advantage of a multi-purpose submerged breakwater for harbor protection and benthic habitat enhancement at Kahului Commercial Harbor, Hawai‘i: case study - SN Applied Sciences

Construction of breakwaters provides an engineering solution for coastal protection. However, little effort has been made toward understanding the ecological impact on local coral reef ecosystems and developing engineering structures that would enhance the coral reef environment. A submerged breakwater proposed for Kahului Commercial Harbor, Hawai‘i, provided an opportunity to design a multi-purpose ‘reef structure’ to mitigate wave impacts while providing new coral reef habitat. This design involved ecological and environmental considerations alongside engineering principles, serving as a model for environmentally sound harbor development. This field study evaluated environmental conditions and reef community composition at the proposed site in a gradient extending outward from the harbor, using in situ data with multivariate analyses. Benthic and topographic features in the area were assessed using a towed drop camera system to relate to biological factors. Results that support breakwater topography should follow the natural spur and groove and depth of the adjacent reef and orient with wave direction. A deep area characterized by unconsolidated substrata and low coral cover would be replaced with the shallow, sloping hard bottom of the breakwater, and provide an exemplary area for corals to flourish while protecting the harbor from large ocean swells. Surfaces on shallow sloping hard bottoms receive higher levels of irradiance that benefits coral growth. Optimal levels of water motion facilitate sediment removal and promote coral recruitment and growth. The design of the Kahului Harbor submerged multi-purpose structure serves as a model for design of shoreline modification that enhances, rather than degrades, the local coral reef environment.

The construction of coastal defence structures to keep people’s feet dry can have severe consequences on the coastal ecosystem if the project is not well designed. The construction of breakwaters for coastal protection requires a better understanding of the ecological impact on local coral reefs. 

 In an interesting study published in SN Applied Sciences, Stender et al. indicated that though breakwaters are suitable for coastal protection, very little effort has been made to understand the ecological impact of their constructions on the local coral reefs in Hawai’i. The authors revealed that the design of the commercial harbour in Hawai’i, which takes into consideration ecological and environmental factors as well as engineering principles, could serve as a model for environmentally friendly harbour development.

 The researchers employed different methodologies to evaluate environmental conditions and reef community composition at the proposed site. The features of the lower ecological zone were assessed using a towed drop camera system to relate to biological factors. In addition, detailed visual surveys were carried out at the existing breakwater, the proposed site, the unaltered surrounding habitat, and within and outside the shipping channel. Finally, water quality at the different sites was measured to derive information about prevailing environmental conditions.

 The authors show that the breakwater topography should follow the natural spur and groove and depth of the adjacent reef and orient with wave direction. Their results also indicate that a deep area characterized by unconsolidated sublayers and low coral cover would be replaced with the shallow, sloping hard bottom of the breakwater, and provide an ideal environment for coral to flourish while at the same time protecting the harbour from large ocean waves. They also found that surfaces on shallow sloping hard bottoms receive higher levels of sunlight that benefits coral growths and that optimal movement of water facilitates sediment removal and enhances coral recruitment and growth.

 It is clear from this study that an integrated approach that combines coastal hazard protection and coral reef resilience is vital for adaptive coastal communities in the face of changing climate and its associated impact. By combining ecological, environmental, and engineering aspects of coastal defence structure this interdisciplinary project can be used by policymakers as guidelines for harbour development and shoreline modification throughout the tropics. 

 Stender, Y., Foley, M., Rodgers, K. et al. Evaluating the feasibility and advantage of a multi-purpose submerged breakwater for harbor protection and benthic habitat enhancement at Kahului Commercial Harbor, Hawai‘i: case study. SN Appl. Sci. 3, 167 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-020-04072-4

 

Please sign in or register for FREE

If you are a registered user on Research Communities by Springer Nature, please sign in

Subscribe to the Topic

Sustainability
Research Communities > Community > Sustainability

Related Collections

With collections, you can get published faster and increase your visibility.

Applied Life Sciences (General)

The Applied Life Sciences section of SN Applied Sciences aims to publish relevant articles that focus on modern applications of life sciences research in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Health Sciences, Physics, Engineering and Environmental Sciences. We are particularly interested in applied research that makes significant scientific and societal contributions across the broad spectrum of life sciences.

Publishing Model: Open Access

Deadline: Ongoing

Applied Life Sciences: Artificial Intelligence and Biological Intervention for Reaching Sustainable Medical and Environmental Goals

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has shown enormous potential in changing healthcare by enhancing diagnosis, treatment, and preventative measures. AI systems can swiftly and reliably analyse large volumes of data, enabling more precise and prompt diagnoses. Machine learning algorithms, for example, may analyse medical images such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs to find anomalies and assist clinicians in making more accurate diagnoses. AI may also analyse patient data including medical history, vital signs, and test findings to forecast and prevent illnesses before they emerge. AI has the ability to improve therapy and medication development as well. AI can assist healthcare practitioners tailor treatment strategies for individual patients by analysing patient data, enhancing treatment efficacy and lowering adverse effects. AI may also help with medication research by analysing massive volumes of data to find possible targets for novel medicines, therefore speeding up the drug development process.

Biological interventions entail the use of biotechnology in the development of innovative cures and medications. These interventions have the potential to address illnesses at the molecular level, resulting in more precise and effective therapies. Gene therapy, for example, involves inserting genes into a patient's cells to fix or replace defective genes, perhaps offering treatment for hereditary illnesses. Cell-based treatments, including stem cell therapy, use cells to restore damaged tissues or organs. Tissue engineering is creating tissues or organs in the lab and transplanting them into patients, potentially solving the organ scarcity problem.

Healthcare providers can enhance patient outcomes, cut costs, and encourage sustainability in medical practice by combining AI and biological interventions. AI can help identify patients who are most likely to contract particular diseases and create individualized treatment plans utilizing biological interventions. This individualized method can cut down on pointless procedures and enhance patient outcomes. AI can also aid in the optimization of clinical trials for novel therapies, cutting down on the time and expense involved in drug development. Combining these two factors may result in more affordable and effective healthcare, supporting the sustainability of the medical and environmental profession. In this Topical Collection, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) all AI application studies in the biological fields.

Publishing Model: Open Access

Deadline: Jun 30, 2024