Evaluation of the erosion reduction potential, stability, and resilience of living shorelines in Nova Scotia

Abstract

Helping Nature Heal Inc. has developed plant-based methods for coastal erosion management that can be classified as Living Shorelines. These Living Shorelines have been used in Nova Scotia for over a decade and appear to be effective for reducing erosion and increasing slope stability. To quantitatively assess erosion reduction potential of the Living Shoreline techniques, a plot-based experiment tested their effect on runoff and sediment loss from rainfall and experimental watering. Treatments that provided high amounts of soil cover showed significant reductions in sediment loss, showing that these techniques are useful for managing rainfall and overland flow erosion on steep glacial till slopes. Four Living Shorelines at various stages of maturity and representing three different coastal geomorphologies were assessed for indications of stability and resilience. At all but the high-energy cliff site, the Living Shorelines showed general indications of stability and possible resilience in the Nova Scotian coastal environment.