Explanation:
1.
Natural shorelines are the undeveloped fringe areas along the edge of a waterbody, which connect the shallow aquatic portion of the waterbody with adjacent upland. These riparian areas provide important environmental functions, such as regulating water quality (including temperature, clarity, nutrients, and contaminants) and sustaining critical habitat for a variety of aquatic and terrestrial organisms (including invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, shorebirds and waterfowl, and mammals).
For decades, "traditional" shoreline stabilization methods have centered on "hard" construction approaches such as vertical concrete, metal, or wood break-walls, gabions (stone-filled wire baskets) and rip rap (loose rocks or stones). Biologists and engineers now realize that in addition to creating a physical barrier, these hardened vertical or near-vertical structures reflect wave energy rather than absorb it, thereby worsening turbulence and increasing erosion in front of, under and adjacent to the "fix".
The effects of turbulence and erosion are not as severe when rip rap is used because it absorbs some of the energy from moving water. However, depending on its size and placement, rip rap still can create a barrier to many wildlife species, and, as with solid structures, reduces vegetated habitat.
The adverse effects of traditional shoreline stabilization methods can be significant, as hard erosion-control solutions do not provide the water quality or habitat benefits of a natural or restored vegetated shoreline.
2.
New ecology research reports that different ski slope construction methods can greatly impact mountainside ecology. Grading removes more vegetation than clearing and makes the soil less conducive for plant growth, which results in more erosion.
Conclusion
Is artificial stabilization and development really working?
Methods such as seawalls do actually help to protect shorelines from being flooded by strong waves, but if the wave bounces off the wall, there will.be more erosion.
Developers continue to attempt to protect our terrain but it is most likely not helping as much as they hoped it would.
