Stronger Shores - Marine habitats protecting coastal communities

A North East led project working to make British coastlines and communities stronger in the face of flooding, coastal erosion and climate change.

Many areas are threatened by flooding, erosion and storms and climate change will only make this worse. If we do nothing, habitats and communities could suffer.

Stronger Shores is turning to the hidden habitats below the waves – seagrass meadows, kelp forests and oyster reefs – for a solution. Experts will learn how these habitats: reduce erosion; stabilise shorelines; and support wildlife. Trialling these practical, value-for-money actions now will save money later.

We believe that restoring and protecting our shores and seas will help to protect our people, places and planet.

Our experts are learning how tidal underwater habitats such as seagrass meadows, kelp forests and oyster reefs can:

• reduce erosion and wave impacts.
• create wildlife habitats.
• improve water quality.

Our project will:

1. quantify coastal erosion and coastal flooding benefits of established naturally occurring habitats in the UK
2. create a flood and coastal resilience practitioner's toolkit for marine habitat restoration
3. develop a natural capital investment strategy

How our project is testing innovation

This project will be the first to provide robust data and evidence on the costs and benefits of marine nature-based solutions to coastal protection in a UK context. In line with existing plans and strategies, this project will deliver a cohesive mix of practical, innovative actions, cutting-edge monitoring techniques, pioneering community engagement and freely available transferable products.

As part of the Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme Stronger Shoes is testing 4 resilience actions

• Nature based solutions
• Monitoring and management of local assets
• Community infrastructure resilience
• Community and voluntary sector action to be better prepared and recover more quickly

Visit the programme evaluation page to find out more.

Who we are working with