Beach cleaning initiates on Langeoog for coastal defence
Heads Up, Langeoog! More Sand Coming Your Way!
Even though the recent storm season was somewhat tame, the island of Langeoog is gearing up for a fresh bout of beach nourishment work. The State Agency for Water Management, Coastal and Nature Conservation in Norden (district of Aurich), responsible for coastal protection on the islands, announced the upcoming beach nourishment project that will continue the work started last summer.
The project will deposit around 450,000 cubic meters of new sand - that's roughly 4.5 million wheelbarrows full of sand - to protect the dune. This is crucial as the dunenot only safeguards the island's territory but also plays a vital role in securing the water supply.
Why the Urgency?
You may wonder why action is needed even after a relatively calm storm season. Well, beaches naturally lose sand due to various factors like currents, tides, and wave action. Human activities like coastal development and the construction of seawalls can speed up this erosion.
Moreover, climate change is another significant factor. Rising sea levels and increased wave energies due to global warming can accelerate erosion, necessitating more frequent replenishment of sand.
Tourism and the local economy are also key considerations. Maintaining wide beaches is essential for attracting tourists, which is a significant economic driver for communities like Langeoog. Even in calm storm seasons, keeping beaches wide supports local businesses and recreational activities.
Beaches also serve as habitats for a variety of species, and nourishing them helps maintain these ecosystems. Long-term sustainability is another factor, as ongoing nourishment programs ensure beaches remain resilient against future storms and maintain their protective role against erosion and flooding.
When and How?
The sand will be extracted using a special ship from the seagap, the current channel between Langeoog and Baltrum, and transported via a pipeline to the beach, where it will be distributed using bulldozers. Due to poor weather in late summer and early autumn, the work couldn't be completed last year.
Frank Thorenz, head of the NLWKN operations center in Norden, responsible for island protection, stated that the current situation clearly illustrates how narrow the time window for coastal protection projects can be in the worst-case scenario. Unfortunately, these projects often coincide with the main tourist season.
So, there you have it! Prepare for more sandy days ahead, Langeoog!
Acknowledging the importance of environmental science, the upcoming beach nourishment project in Langeoog aims to address climate-change impacts on the island's weather, sandy beaches, and dunes, which are vital for safeguarding the territory, securing water supply, and supporting tourism. The project will incorporate scientific techniques, such as extracting sand from the seagap and distributing it using bulldozers, to maintain the sandy beach and its role as a habitat for various species while preserving the island's long-term sustainability in the face of future storms and flooding.
