Living shorelines and coastal resilience : a systematic review of effectiveness

Abstract

This capstone presents a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature that evaluates the effectiveness of living shorelines as a nature-based solution for enhancing coastal resilience. Drawing on 33 studies published between 2008 and 2025, the review synthesizes evidence across four primary domains: erosion control, biodiversity and habitat support, water quality and ecosystem services, and socio-economic benefits. Findings indicate that living shorelines consistently reduce shoreline erosion, particularly in high-energy environments, when hybrid designs incorporating structural elements are employed. Biodiversity outcomes were generally positive, with restored sites supporting nekton communities, submerged aquatic vegetation, and intertidal invertebrates that were comparable to or exceeded natural reference conditions. Living shorelines also contributed to improved water quality through enhanced nutrient cycling, sediment retention, and carbon storage, particularly in marsh-based and oyster-integrated systems. Additionally, evidence suggests living shorelines provide economic co-benefits by protecting property, supporting recreation and tourism, and offering long-term cost savings. However, variability in site conditions, design approaches, and monitoring practices limits generalizability and highlights the need for standardized metrics and long-term evaluations. This review supports the growing body of evidence that living shorelines are a multifunctional tool for climate adaptation and sustainable coastal management while also identifying research and policy gaps that must be addressed to optimize future implementation.