1. Identify the area/habitat/landscape
When selecting a restoration site, it is important to recognise the occurrence of natural processes that can either facilitate or impede successful restoration. Optimal sites for restoration are those where natural processes support and complement engineering interventions and other man-made restoration actions. This harmonious work with nature aligns with the principles of “Building with Nature” (van Eekelen & Bouw, 2020), ensuring that restoration work complements natural dynamics and local stakeholder interests.
Building with Nature principles:
“Building with Nature" is an approach that integrates Nature -based Solutions as a fundamental aspect of designing water-related infrastructure for coasts, rivers, deltas, and cities. It harnesses natural forces to benefit biodiversity recovery, the economy, and society as a whole. Adhering to the principles of Building with Nature, restoration efforts should strategically leverage the inherent dynamics of the selected site rather than contrasting them. A practical example of this approach is evident in coastal restoration. In this context, a viable method to replenish an eroding coast involves depositing sediment in one location, allowing gradual and natural redistribution by wind, waves, and currents. This strategy minimises disturbance to local ecosystems while creating new areas for both nature and recreation (De Vriend et al ., 2014; Ecoshape, 2020). Another practical example comes from the approach followed under the Building with Nature Indonesia project in Demak. The flooding risk on an eroding coastline that once hosted a mangrove forest was addressed by constructing permeable dams made of brushwood. These dams are deployed to capture sediment and help establish a healthy sediment balance. Once the nearshore bed level has sufficiently risen, mangroves begin regenerating naturally, forming a natural water defence against flooding and further erosion (Wetlands International & Ecoshape, 2022). Key considerations for site selection include the historical distribution of natural ecosystems, current geomorphological and ecological characteristics, and predictions of future landscape changes. Managed realignment is often particularly effective in areas with sediment accretion, where natural deposition processes can be encouraged to create or enhance coastal habitats (Atkinson, 2001). However, in sites experiencing erosion, where maintaining traditional coastal defences can be costly, managed realignment offers an alternative approach that may be more financially sustainable. Furthermore, an action may require continual maintenance (e.g. the expected inland movement of the shoreline as a result of subsidence and change of the relative sea level). Therefore, the cost – benefit trade-off needs to be considered alongside site suitability. This practical insight underscores the importance of site-specific features, guiding the restoration approach based on the inherent characteristics of the ecosystem.
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