Living shorelines achieve functional equivalence to natural fringe marshes across multiple ecological metrics

Nature-based shoreline protection provides a welcome class of adaptations to promote ecological resilience in the face climate change. Along coastlines, living shorelines are among preferred adaptation strategies both reduce erosion and provide functions. As an alternative armoring, viewed favorably coastal managers some private property owners, but they have yet undergo thorough examination how their levels ecosystem functions compare closest natural counterpart: fringing marshes. Here, we synthesis results from multi-year, large-spatial-scale study which compared numerous metrics (including habitat provision for fish, invertebrates, diamondback terrapin, birds, nutrient carbon storage, plant productivity) measured thirteen pairs marshes throughout Virginia, USA. Living were composed created by bank grading, placement sand fill proper elevations, planting S. alterniflora patens , as well stone sill seaward parallel marsh serve wave break. Overall, found that functionally equivalent nearly all aspects, except lag soil composition due construction with clean, low-organic sands. These data support prioritization strategy.