Nature-based solutions for climate resilience

A team of researchers from Glasgow Caledonian University is investigating why the coastline in Carsethorn, Scotland, is eroding and how this will evolve due to climate change.

The team wants to find natural ways to manage this erosion, such as using shellfish reefs or timber structures. This research will help the community understand when erosion might happen, how bad it could be, and what they can do about it.

The solutions the researchers propose could start making a difference within a year, but some might take up to five years to show results.

The project is funded by a local group in Carsethorn, with Dr Farhad Sadeghineko helping to provide digital mapping of the coastline.

Dr Alejandro Ollauri, who is part of the research team, said: “We will tell the community which critical factors for coastal erosion are really critical – for example, tides, waves, wind, and/or rainfall, and how frequent and severe these will be in the future under climate change.

“Once the latter factors are understood, we can proceed to identify solutions that are inspired by nature, that are based on solid engineering principles, and that can be built by the local community using ready-available natural resources.

“This research will help build resilience and adaptation to climate change. As such, the community in Carsethorn will know when coastal erosion will likely happen, how severe this will be, and what needs doing to manage it sustainably.”