State of the practice and engineering framework for using emergent vegetation in coastal infrastructure
Publication Date: August 31, 2022
Author(s):
Kayla Ostrow, School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
Greg Guannel, Caribbean Green Technology Center, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Esteban L. Biondi, Applied Technology and Management/Geosyntec Consultants, Inc, West Palm Beach, FL, United States
Daniel T. Cox, School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
Tori Tomiczek, Department of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, United States
Abstract:
Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBF) are promoted as alternatives to structural flood protection measures. Progress has been made in understanding the physics and engineering of these systems; however, engineering, ecological, and social barriers to implementation remain. This paper identifies these barriers using the results of a literature review and summary of expert opinion; contrasts the state of the practice of NNBF with traditional structures; and details the main engineering challenges to NNBF implementation, including the uncertainty in current calculation techniques and lack of engineering design guidelines. We suggest that, emergent vegetation systems can be designed with the current body of information, and an example framework is proposed for assessing these systems for their wave attenuation performance. The framework is discussed in the context of risk, and future research priorities are presented.
Citation: Ostrow K, Guannel G, Biondi EL, Cox DT and Tomiczek T (2022) State of the practice and engineering framework for using emergent vegetation in coastal infrastructure. Front. Built Environ. 8:923965. doi: 10.3389/fbuil.2022.923965
Keywords: engineering with nature, natural and nature-based features, working with nature, building with nature, emergent vegetation, wave attenuation, design guidelines, nature-based solutions