Away with invasive plants, concrete pipes, and breakwaters – lay out sand and restore sand dunes.
A number of natural and small-scale methods have been tested to stop the sea's advance in Skåne coastal municipalities. The results are good.
The Life Coast Adapt project has tested a number of methods at 14 different locations in Skåne.
It's about adding more sand, removing rocks and stone reefs, and getting rid of invasive species – methods that both help preserve sandy beaches and provide protection for what's behind, says environmental strategist Susann Milenkovski at Region Skåne.
We want the waves to erode the sandy beaches and thereby protect the infrastructure behind, she says, explaining that natural coastal protection is cheaper to recreate when the water rises.
It's cheaper than building roads and houses.
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The tests have been ongoing between 2018 and 2023, and the project has been carried out in collaboration with the County Administrative Board, Lund University, Region Skåne, and the municipalities of Ystad, Lomma, and Helsingborg, as well as the organization Skåne's Municipalities.
Now they want to spread the ideas further. For during the project, biodiversity has also been promoted.
By removing invasive species, we have made room for native species, such as the sandwort, sand reed, and beach grass, says Susann Milenkovski.
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These grasses grow together with the sand dune, so it can grow and become high. We've also got some solitary bees back, for example.
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