A natural barrier of stones and native plants that runs along the coast, functioning similarly to a marsh or wetland. Living shorelines, an alternative to bulkheads and hardened shorelines, help mitigate storm surge, provide wildlife habitat, preserve water quality, and support clean air.
A living shoreline was recently completed, and is open to the public, along the Great South Bay in the Village of Patchogue at Shorefront Park.
Traditionally across Long Island, our coasts have been protected by bulkheads, or concrete walls constructed parallel to shore line to hold soil in place.
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Unlike living shorelines, bulkheads are disruptive to wild ecosystems, and less effective at protecting coasts from damage. Bulkheads are designed to deflect force from waves, allowing that force to rebound and affect adjacent areas.
Living shorelines on the other hand, ABSORB the force from the waves, providing a barrier that is more efficient. Also, the habitats sustained by living coastlines will serve as a filter for pollutants that would normally have seeped into the bay.
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All in all, living shorelines are highly effective at protecting our coasts from erosion, while also having a positive impact on our communities and the environment. Learn more by visiting our website at www.savethegreatsouthbay.org.
Save The Great South Bay is a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to improve water quality creeks, rivers, streams across the South Shore and the Great South Bay itself. Word of the Week is an educational initiative which aims to make the vocabulary of environmentalist accessible to the everyday person. View our complete list of words at www.savethegreatsouthbay.org in our Photo Gallery.
