Bioshields as a viable solution for managing ecosystem-related disasters, offering a long-term solution to the frequent issue of sea erosion

Abstract

Coastal regions of India possess high population densities. The damage faced by the coastal ecosystem, especially the land–sea border, is increasing due to natural calamities during monsoon and cyclones as well as climate change. Land erosion is a significant concern nowadays because of the loss of human life and properties. Existing practice to prevent such damage is constructing a sea wall, groynes or tetrapods. Such construction requires huge manpower and money. The study discusses the importance of a bioshield in mitigating such calamities. Bioshields consist of a patch of vegetation at the land-sea border. The composition of such vegetation can be grasses, shrubs, creepers and trees. The current study discusses a few selected species for inclusion in such a bioshield with multipurpose objectives: income generation, enriching the local ecosystem and slowing down the calamities due to waves and wind.