Shingle beach management and coastal defence

Management of this habitat is more often associated with works concerned with coastal defence. This may take the form of reprofiling shingle ridges, recycling shingle material and the erection of structures on the beach to control longshore movement. Where these interfere with the natural processes of movement they can have significant impact on the ability of the structure to sustain itself. Long term damage can also adversely affect vegetation and associated animal communities where sustained coastal defences are the norm. Impact on shingle subjected to emergency coastal defence measures can cause irreparable damage in very short space of time.