Evaluation of alternatives for coastal protection, a traditional engineering infrastructure and a nature-based solution, using numerical models. Case Study: San Pedro, Ecuador

Abstract

This article presents an analysis of coastal morphodynamics based on both methods of remote sensing and numerical modelling. The study indicates how coastal processes models can be used to explore plausible scenarios on how the coastline responses based on natural conditions and the construction of possible engineering solutions to the erosion problem. To address that, the model was calibrated and validated with field measurements data. Then, two possible engineering solutions were tested such as a breakwater and a nature-based solution such as artificial coral reef. The site selected was San Pedro beach, located in Santa Elena Province, Ecuador. The results show an erosion tendency with an average of 68 cm per year using remote sensing and 58 cm per year using numerical modelling. Even though breakwaters give and adequate coastal protection for the erosion issue, better results were found using artificial coral reef over time.