Potential of Transplanted Seagrass Meadows on Wave Attenuation in a Fetch-Limited Environment

In this paper, the effectiveness of transplanted (either created or restored) seagrass meadows as a coastal protection measure is assessed through a five-step methodology. The analysis is focused on a stretch of the Catalan coast (NW Mediterranean) which is a fetch-limited environment. The results show that even considering conservative values for the meadow parameters (plant diameter, meadow density and canopy height), significant reductions of the annual average wave heights reaching the beach may be obtained, reducing flooding and erosion risks. Therefore, the investment in the conservation and restauration of seagrass meadows for protecting coastal areas from erosion and flooding is a measure that must be considered, due to the multiple benefits that they provide including ecosystem services. In addition, the proposed methodology may be a useful tool for coastal managers to help them in the design of seagrass meadows for coastal protection.

Automated summary

This research evaluates the effectiveness of transplanted seagrass meadows as a coastal protection measure through a five-step methodology. The results demonstrate that significant reductions in wave heights reaching the beach can be achieved, reducing flooding and erosion risks. Therefore, investing in the conservation and restoration of seagrass meadows is a necessary measure to protect coastal areas, considering their multiple benefits, including ecosystem services. The proposed methodology can also assist coastal managers in designing seagrass meadows for coastal protection.