Written by Abbie Mcknight, Sea Trust Intern
Our coastlines are at the heart of life in Wales — offering wellbeing, recreation, food, tourism, and a deep connection to nature. With over 2,740 km of coastline, it’s no surprise that around 60% of the Welsh population live close to the sea. Yet these treasured areas are facing increasing pressure. Climate change is driving rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and more frequent, powerful storms, putting both communities and ecosystems at risk. The very places we rely on—and love—are becoming increasingly vulnerable.
So, What Can Be Done About This?
At some point, we must decide: do we keep trying to defend our coasts, manage the damage, or help them adapt to a changing climate? In many cases, adaptation offers the most sustainable and cost-effective path forward. Constantly repairing sea walls or flood barriers is expensive and often only postpones the inevitable, while adaptation works with natural processes to build resilience over time.
However, coastal management is rarely straightforward. Every stretch of coast is different. In some locations, hard defences like seawalls or breakwaters are essential to protect infrastructure or densely populated areas. But elsewhere, softer, nature-based approaches can deliver longer-lasting protection while enhancing biodiversity and natural beauty. The key is finding the right balance — using the right tools in the right places.
Photo on the Left: Outer Breakwater, Goodwick, 2025
Working with Nature
This is where nature-based solutions (NbS) come in. NbS harness the natural power of ecosystems to protect, restore, and strengthen our coasts. These approaches use habitats like saltmarshes, sand dunes, mudflats, and wetlands to absorb wave energy, buffer storm surges, and reduce erosion — all while providing a home for wildlife.
They’re effective because they provide multiple layers of protection and deliver wider environmental benefits.
For example:
- A healthy saltmarsh can reduce wave heights by up to 60%, naturally dissipating energy before it reaches inland areas.
- Saltmarsh plants trap sediment and carbon, helping to combat climate change while stabilising the coastline.
- These habitats also act as nurseries for fish and birds, enriching local biodiversity and supporting tourism and recreation.
Nature-based solutions are not just good for the planet — they’re practical, resilient, and cost-effective in the long term. They grow stronger over time rather than wearing down, unlike many hard defences that need constant maintenance.
Cwm Ivy Marsh: Nature Reclaiming Its Space
A powerful Welsh example of this approach is Cwm Ivy Marsh on the north coast of Gower. Once reclaimed farmland and freshwater marsh since the 17th century, the site changed dramatically in 2014 when a breach in the seawall allowed seawater to return.
Instead of rebuilding the defences, managers made a bold decision: let nature take its course. The result has been remarkable. Cwm Ivy has since transformed into a thriving mix of saltwater and freshwater habitats. With minimal human intervention — just small additions like bird hides, boardwalks, and nesting platforms — the area has become a haven for wildlife, from wading birds to salt-tolerant plants.
Cwm Ivy stands as living proof that when we give nature space, it can adapt and thrive, creating landscapes that both people and wildlife can benefit from.
Looking Ahead
As climate pressures mount, embracing natural resilience is essential. Restoring and protecting ecosystems like saltmarshes can help safeguard our coastlines, cut carbon, and create richer, more vibrant habitats for generations to come. By valuing and restoring habitats like saltmarshes, we can build a coastline that is not only more resilient, but also more alive.
Cwm Ivy, North Gower | © National Trust Images/Corrinne Benbow
References
‘Saltmarsh’, John Archer-Thomson, 2025 Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation https://www.pembrokeshiremarinesac.org.uk/atlantic-salt-meadow/
National Trust, Cwm Ivy on the North Gower coast, https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/whiteford-and-north-gower/cwm-ivy-on-the-north-gower-coast
‘Cwm Ivy, North Gower’, Corrinne Benbow, National Trust, Exploring Cwm Ivy, https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/whiteford-and-north-gower/exploring-cwm-ivy
Natural Resources Wales, 2024, Fresh approach to saltmarsh habitat restoration from Natural Resources Wales, https://naturalresources.wales/about-us/news-and-blogs/news/fresh-approach-to-saltmarsh-habitat-restoration-from-natural-resources-wales/?lang=en