Nature-based and bioinspired solutions for coastal protection: an overview among key ecosystems and a promising pathway for new functional and sustainable designs

Coastal erosion is occurring at a faster rate than in the past. The adverse impacts are not negligible at environmental, economic, and socio-cultural levels. Hence, coastal protection is currently seen as an emerging need to counteract erosion impacts and their many negative effects on worldwide ecosystems. In this regard, natural systems and their organisms represent a complex system of solutions that can efficiently create and/or inspire the development of natural, sustainable, and cutting-edge coastal barriers. Coastal ecosystems, such as coral reefs, oyster reefs, mangroves, saltmarshes, seagrasses, and polychaete reefs, act as a natural barrier for destructive waves and wind forces. Moreover, living organisms have evolved unique strategies to withstand their environmental hydrodynamic loadings. This review intends to provide an overview regarding natural systems and related nature-based and bioinspired strategies in the specific field of coastal protection, describing the state of the art, methods, processes, and tools, as well as delineating a promising pathway for new functional and sustainable designs.