Long Term Modelling of Coastal Protection Measures on the Belgian Coast
摘要
The Belgian Coast protects a densely populated hinterland and supports recreation, yet it faces localized erosion challenges. While coastal safety is not currently at risk, the Bredene-Vosseslag area, located east of the Port of Ostend, has experienced accelerated erosion since the port’s expansion between 2008 and 2011. This study evaluates two nourishment strategies, a mega-nourishment and a foreshore nourishment, using the TELEMAC-based Scaldis-Coast hydro-morphodynamic model. Results show that foreshore nourishments effectively redistribute sediment toward the coast, enhancing beach elevation along the nourished stretch and slightly to the east. In contrast, mega-nourishments provide localized benefits but result in greater sediment loss offshore and a larger downdrift erosional area. These findings highlight that foreshore nourishment is a more effective strategy for addressing nearshore erosion at Bredene-Vosseslag, providing better long-term protection with the same sand volume.