Coastal adaptation to climate change by multiple ecosystem-based measures (LIFECOASTadapt)

The most severe climate change impacts for coastal regions are rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weather events. These contribute to increasing flood risks and an unsustainable escalation of coastal erosion. Southern Sweden has been particularly affected by coastal erosion with Skåne experiencing a large number of floods and escalating erosion along its coastlines due to more frequent and powerful storms. This trend is expected to continue along with the accelerating pace of climate change and rising sea level.

The objective of the LIFECOASTadapt project is to demonstrate ecosystem-based measures against coastal erosion and floods that also strengthen coastal biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Methods tested against erosion in different sites of Skåne region include:

• Restoring sandy habitats, by removing invasive plants and restoring dunes,
• Planting Eelgrass, creating a habitat that promotes biodiversity and dampens energy from waves and wind,
• Removing hard structures that contribute to beach erosion,
• Establishing wetlands that attenuate energy from waves and currents and that favour biodiversity,
• Protecting rivers from erosion, using natural elements with positive effects on ecosystem,
• Beach nourishment,
• Creating natural reefs that dampen energy from waves and wind and promote biodiversity.