The Sea‐Defence Value of Salt Marshes: Field Evidence From North Norfolk

Abstract

Abstract Approaches to coastal management have focused increasingly on ‘soft’engineering methods such as beach/foreshore recharge or the managed realignment of coastal defences. In this context, the creation/maintenance of salt marshes is often seen as being of ecological and flood‐defence importance. However, until recently, no field data of wave attenuation over Northern European salt marshes had been available; therefore the debate on the sea‐defence value of salt marshes has remained highly speculative. This paper (a) reviews results from a field and numerical modelling study at Stiffkey, north Norfolk, (b) presents a scientifically based argument for the evaluation of salt marshes as part of sea‐defence schemes, and (c) discusses the relationship between hydrodynamic parameters, salt‐marsh surface characteristics, and possible management implications and engineering guidelines.