Coastal erosion on the north coast of Java: adaptation strategies and coastal management

Abstract

Coastal erosion remains a problem for the socio-economic development of the coastal zone in the north coast of Java. This study aims to determine the coastal characteristics, shoreline changes, and adaptation strategies of the north coast of Java through satellite study and on-ground observations. The analysis covers two decadal periods of satellite data starting from 1998 to 2018. The coastal characteristic of the north coast of Java is typified by sandy, muddy, and gravelly coast. At particular coasts have been extensively modified becoming coastal structure buildings. The shoreline changes are characterized by sectors alternating between erosion and accretion, although in general indicating the erosion processses. The conversion of mangrove ecosystems into fish ponds along with an increase of coastal constructions such as groins, jetties, and seawalls may have strong influences on the coastal erosion at the particular coastal environments. Since traditional hard defense methods used so far have had more damaging than protective effects, there is a need now for the use of soft prevention alternatives and for providing new guidelines for coastal management. A set of permeable breakwater measures, in conjunction with sediment managing schemes, are proposed for the sustainable development of the coastal zone.