Managed re-alignment: a multifaceted approach in ecological restoration of coastal floodplains

Low-lying coasts in Europe share a long history of land reclamation enabled by flood defences, which radically transformed natural coastal processes and buffers. Traditional coastal adaptation, by raising dykes, is increasingly challenged due to environmental and sustainability issues in light of wetland loss and the climate crisis. Managed re-alignment (MR) departs from “hold the line” coastal defence approaches by encouraging the planned removal or relocation of coastal defence lines and the incorporation of softer, nature-based flood protection. MR implies substantial changes in landscape and land use and has significant local socio-environmental implications. Despite complex conceptual, technical,…

• BF
  Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
• BF
  Bundesamt für Naturschutz