Shoreline Stabilization

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Shoreline Stabilization North Carolina’s barrier islands, a 325 mile-long string of narrow sand islands that forms the coast of North Carolina, are one of the most beloved places to visit and live in the United States. With the winds and tides, we change yearly. Look back on a map from twenty years ago and you can see how the Outer Banks has changed. The lines have shifted, new inlets have opened and closed, and overall the famous barrier islands are getting narrower. Projects and experiments are in place to help its structure remain the same, saving our precious beaches. Shoreline stabilization is defined as the use of structures, vegetation, or land management practices to provide protection of a shoreline from future or existing erosion. …show more content…

It also promotes wildlife habitation. As we see around here, phragmites and spartina stabilize our shorelines all year round: although not exactly pretty in some people’s opinion. Vegetation is an excellent choice for areas where it can be fenced off to avoid foot traffic ripping up fragile young roots. It is a low cost option that offers eco-friendly and economic friendly uses. Due to plant root systems being fragile in the first few years of growth it must be watched and maintained carefully. Once the eco- system is in place many people can enjoy the variety of wildlife that will move in. When implementing vegetation as a stabilization technique it needs to be chosen with care. Native plants are preferable as they are already proven to be able to survive in the conditions present. Invasive species must be chosen as a last ditch answer because some can adapt to any conditions and take over thus out competing any native species that are already …show more content…

Normally when a living shoreline is used to stabilize shoreline, vegetation and hard structures such as bulkheads or rip-rap are used. To create a living shoreline a base is set down, usually a bulkhead or rip-rap but sometimes softer materials such as biologs are used, and then a layer of oyster shells, sand, and vegetation are layered on top of that. The oyster shells and hard base attract oysters and other mollusks to colonize the surface. Over time as the vegetation grows deeper root systems, and the mollusks bind them to the hard surface, it creates a stronger structure. The big downfalls to these are few, the biggest being the cost of research needed to successfully integrate and keep a healthy community of oysters or other mollusks. Living shorelines should also be kept away from foot traffic as the rocks and shells can be quite dangerous, and for the first few years the whole bed is unstable. Fishing these beds could also cause damage so it is wise to keep fisherman from the

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