Wave Attenuation and Shoreline Protection by a Fringing Reef System

Authors

  • Carla I. Elliff Universidade Federal da Bahia, Instituto de Geociências. Rua Barão de Geremoabo, s/n, CEP 40210-340, Campus Federação, Salvador, Bahia, Brasil
  • Iracema R. Silva Universidade Federal da Bahia, Instituto de Geociências. Rua Barão de Geremoabo, s/n, CEP 40210-340, Campus Federação, Salvador, Bahia, Brasil
  • Verónica Cánovas Instituto de Hidráulica Ambiental, Universidad de Cantabria. Avda. Isabel Torres, 15, Parque Cientifico y Tecnológico de Cantabria, 39011, Santander, Espanha
  • Mauricio González Instituto de Hidráulica Ambiental, Universidad de Cantabria. Avda. Isabel Torres, 15, Parque Cientifico y Tecnológico de Cantabria, 39011, Santander, Espanha

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11137/2019_1_87_94

Keywords:

Wave climate, Coral reefs, Wave attenuation, SMC-Brasil

Abstract

While knowledge on coastal dynamics is essential to guarantee well-informed decision making, information is still scarce, particularly regarding areas with the presence of coral reefs and other complex ecosystems. The objective of the present study was to contribute towards the understanding of wave attenuation and shoreline protection at different tide moments by a fringing reef system located in a Southwestern Atlantic archipelago. The predominant directions of offshore waves adjacent to the archipelago were ESE, SE, E and SSE. Coral reefs demonstrated high efficiency in wave height attenuation even under higher energy conditions during high tides. Erosion hot-spots along the archipelago were associated with rip currents, which were greatly reduced or absent during low tides. Coral reef conservation is essential to maintain shoreline protection and information on reef geomorphology should be included in reef status protocols to help advance this field of knowledge.

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Published

2019-12-01

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