Eco-friendly Biopolymer for Sustainable Coastal Erosion Prevention

Snapshot Solution

Eco-friendly Biopolymer for Sustainable Coastal Erosion Prevention

by Korea National Park Service - KNPS

Korea National Park Service

Published: 15 November 2021

Last edited: 06 February 2023

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Summary

Korea National Park Service (KNPS) succeeded in restoring the eroded coast of Gwanmae-do Island, Jindo-gun, in the Dadohaehaesang National Park with eco-friendly technology using biopolymer-based natural paving materials.

The existing techniques to prevent coastal erosion, using cement concrete structures or natural stone masonry, cause physical problems, such as dislocation and cracking over time after construction. In addition, cement structures loose toxic substances, which destroy the surrounding ecosystem and adversely affect nearby landscapes.

A biopolymer-based natural paving material is the blend of high-molecular compounds extracted from plants and natural aggregates such as gravels. It contains many pores on the surface and inside. Therefore, when a strong wave hits the surface, seawater is dispersed between the pores, which significantly lowers the wave energy and increases the durability of the structure.

Classifications

Region

East Asia

Scale of implementation

Local

Ecosystem

Beach

Coastal forest

Marine and coastal ecosystems

Seamount / Ocean ridge

Theme

Adaptation

Biodiversity mainstreaming

Coastal and marine spatial management

Connectivity / transboundary conservation

Disaster risk reduction

Erosion prevention

Forest Management

Infrastructure maintenance

Islands

Land management

Mitigation

Outreach & communications

Protected and conserved areas governance

Restoration

Science and research

Species management

Sustainable livelihoods

Terrestrial spatial planning

Tourism

Species Conservation and One Health Interventions

Species Monitoring and Research

Species Intensive Management (in situ or ex situ)

Species Conservation Planning

Challenges

Land and Forest degradation

Sea level rise

Shift of seasons

Storm surges

Tropical cyclones / Typhoons

Tsunami/tidal wave

Erosion

Ecosystem loss

Invasive species

Lack of access to long-term funding

Changes in socio-cultural context

Lack of public and decision maker’s awareness

Sustainable development goals

SDG 11 – Sustainable cities and communities

SDG 13 – Climate action

SDG 15 – Life on land

Aichi targets

Target 2: Biodiversity values integrated

Target 5: Habitat loss halved or reduced

Target 10: Ecosystems vulnerable to climate change

Target 11: Protected and conserved areas

Target 15: Ecosystem restoration and resilience

Location

Jindo-gun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea

Find out more about the protected area where this solution has been implemented on Protected Planet.

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Impacts

The use of biopolymer-based natural paving material has been piloted, tested and monitored by the Dadohaehaesang National Park since October 2012. Biopolymer hardens underwater, which helped to consolidate the construction. The strength of the material does not decrease, even when exposed to seawater for a long time and even severe typhoons.

The results of the restored areas monitoring show that sand was deposited between the natural paving materials and various plants living in the sand dune, such as Calystegia soldanella grew well to maintain a natural coastal landscape. The erosion prevention effect was also excellent, and it even played a role in protecting the forest of Pinus thunbergii located at the back of the coast.

KNPS continues to promote restoration projects by using biopolymer-based eco-friendly method, and plans to expand eco-friendly restoration projects to other areas such as trails.

Pictures

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Contributed by

Korea National Park Service - KNPS Korea National Park Service

Portals

This solution is published in the PANORAMA Conservation Areas, PANORAMA Blue, PANORAMA Species Conservation and PANORAMA Restoration community.

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