Coir Log installation

Do coir logs prevent beach erosion?

Coir logs are one of the simplest and most effective solutions for preventing beach erosion in Australia. Erosion of our beaches is an ongoing problem, and whilst it’s often due to natural causes, it’s still an unwelcome event. Beach erosion is caused by the action of waves and currents that remove the sand, reducing the width and lowering the height of the beach, depositing this sand offshore as sandbars.

Remediation efforts include rebuilding lost sand dunes and planting hardy vegetation to anchor the dunes, but that doesn’t replace lost sand from the beaches. Once eroded, the most common solution is to replace the sand, but that can be a costly endeavour, particularly if erosion is a frequent event.

Clearly, the best solution is to minimise the amount of sand that’s eroded from our beaches, and this can be achieved by the two methods mentioned above - stabilising the sand dunes and adding vegetation. Coir logs are one of the best solutions for preventing beach erosion and they go hand in hand with these existing remediation methods. 

How do Coir logs prevent beach erosion?

These logs are made from coconut fibre husks that’s been densely packed, shaped into logs and covered with natural netting. They are 100% environmentally friendly and biodegradable and are ideal for preventing soil loss on slopes and sand from beaches. Let’s take a look at some of the main benefits of these natural fibre logs to stabilise beaches and coastal zones.

Creates habitats and stabilises sand banks for revegetation

These natural fibre logs are strong and flexible and can easily be curved around the contours of sand dunes, and secured along sloping dunes. They not only prevent sand erosion, but also create microclimates and habitats for flora and fauna. With an effective life of up to 3 years, these natural logs provide sufficient time for revegetation to occur and habitats to be established, whilst preventing further sand erosion.

Environmentally friendly and biodegradable

Since they are made from coconut husk fibres, Coir logs are 100% environmentally friendly and naturally biodegradable, both features that are important in our coastal zones. The coconut fibres are also highly water absorbent, not only holding water, but also acting as a mulch for the surface vegetation. Whilst being very dense, they also allow enough sunlight through to aid revegetation, secure seedlings in position (giving them time to root), and provide an excellent medium for fast revegetation in poor soils, such as sand dunes.

They are naturally resistant to mould and rot, so no chemicals are required for their maintenance, and even though they degrade over a three year period, that’s long enough to stabilise the dunes and prevent further erosion. As these logs biodegrade however, the coconut fibres help to enrich the beach environment and support further plant growth. Coir log installation is quick and easy, because they come with pre-drilled holes and can be held in place with wooden stakes. 

If you want an affordable, fast and very effective strategy for preventing beach erosion, you can’t beat these natural fibre logs for their functionality and their versatility.

This article was originally published by aussieenvironmental.com.au. Read more about Coir Log installation.

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