ABSTRACT
This chapter extends our understanding of ecological outcomes to incorporate social considerations and metrics using an ecosystem services framework. It discusses the potential for ecosystem service science and practice to inform several challenges facing living shorelines. The chapter argues that drawing upon ecosystem service concepts and tools to inform living shoreline science and implementation has the potential to advance the effectiveness and uptake of nature-based shoreline stabilization techniques. It discusses the evidence for five ecosystem services that living shorelines provide to coastal communities: food and livelihoods from fisheries, protection from coastal hazards for people and property, opportunities for recreation and tourism, carbon storage and sequestration, and human health and well-being. For living shorelines to continue to grow in popularity as alternatives or complements to traditional engineering approaches, project goals and outcomes must align with stakeholder values. Lack of awareness of nature-based approaches is another limiting factor in the use of living shorelines.
