Nature-based solutions for coastal erosion protection in a changing climate: A cutting-edge analysis of contexts and prospects of the muddy coasts

Abstract

Coastal erosion in the changing climate situation is a grievous concern. Global experience varies in this regard due to the variation of the coastal dynamics. Muddy coasts are exceptionally fragile for the welding of the ecological environment, soft sedimentation nature, anthropogenic and natural factors. Therefore, coastal erosion protection is a challenging and daunting task for most of the muddy coasts. Stark pitfalls of the hard structural engineering solution for coastal erosion protection are becoming more prominent. The propensity to adopt nature-based solutions (NbS) for coastal erosion protection, squeeze, and retreat is on the mark, as opposed to grey or engineering solutions. Yet a comprehensive understanding of NbS for coastal protection in the muddy coasts and evidence building from a global perspective is a vacuum. This paper aims to look into the global contexts and experiences of NbSs for coastal protection to provide a cutting-edge analysis of the role of NbS in coastal erosion protection, biodiversity protection, renewing natural habitats, and shielding coastal populations in a changing climate situation. This research uses a systematic review method to explore the global to regional landscape of NbS in coastal erosion, policy framework, and the national experience. The plethora of NbS experience shows the effectiveness in protecting eroding coasts if properly applied in the right conditions under a pragmatic and/or policy-governance approach. Muddy coast in the peri-urban area of littoral countries like Thailand evolves even more critical bio-spheric condition that requires special and urgent attention. The complexity of the muddy coast of the upper Gulf of Thailand has to be critically understood for NbS-driven pivotal pathways to assure sustainable coastal erosion protection and climate-resilient development.