Biological-physical interactions are fundamental to understanding and managing coastal dynamics

Martin Solan; Tom Spencer; David M Paterson; Christopher A Unsworth; Elizabeth K Christie; Andrew J Blight; Jenny Brown; Helen Brooks; I Dougal Lichtman; Xiaoyan Wei; Xiaorong Li; Pete Thorne; Julian Leyland; Jasmin A Godbold; Charlie Thompson; Megan E Williams; Andrew Plater; Iris Moller; Laurent O Amoudry

doi:10.1098/rsos.230155

Biological-physical interactions are fundamental to understanding and managing coastal dynamics

R Soc Open Sci. 2023 Jul 12;10(7):230155. doi: 10.1098/rsos.230155. eCollection 2023 Jul.

Authors

Martin Solan¹, Tom Spencer², David M Paterson³, Christopher A Unsworth⁴, Elizabeth K Christie², Andrew J Blight³, Jenny Brown⁴, Helen Brooks^{2

5}, I Dougal Lichtman⁴, Xiaoyan Wei⁴, Xiaorong Li^{6

7}, Pete Thorne⁴, Julian Leyland⁸, Jasmin A Godbold¹, Charlie Thompson^{1

9}, Megan E Williams^{4

10

11}, Andrew Plater⁶, Iris Moller^{2

12}, Laurent O Amoudry⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK.
² Cambridge Coastal Research Unit, Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Downing Place, Cambridge CB2 3EN, UK.
³ Scottish Oceans Institute, School of Biology, Sediment Ecology Research Group, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8LB, UK.
⁴ Marine Physics and Ocean Climate, National Oceanography Centre, Joseph Proudman Building, 6 Brownlow Street, Liverpool L3 5DA, UK.
⁵ Environment Agency, Tyneside House, Skinnerburn Road, Newcastle Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7AR, UK.
⁶ Department of Geography and Planning, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZT, UK.
⁷ Energy and Environment Research Group, College of Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.
⁸ School of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.
⁹ Channel Coastal Observatory, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK.
¹⁰ Departamento de Ingeniería Hidráulica y Ambiental, Facultad de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
¹¹ Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
¹² Department of Geography, Trinity College Dublin, Museum Building, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Abstract

There is an urgent need to address coastal dynamics as a fundamental interaction between physical and biological processes, particularly when trying to predict future biological-physical linkages under anticipated changes in environmental forcing. More integrated modelling, support for observational networks and the use of management interventions as controlled experimental exercises should now be vigorously pursued.

Keywords: biological–physical interactions; coastal protection; nature-based solution; perspective; science; wetland.

Publication types

Review