Archives: Publications

Can fine sediment addition promote carbon stabilization in coastal wetland soils? A laboratory experiment

Scientists are increasingly exploring soil carbon (C) stabilization processes that protect soil organic C from microbial decomposition. Mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) is considered one of the most protected pools of soil C, but remains understudied in wetland soils relative to upland soils. Using complementary intact soil core and bottle incubation studies, this research investigated how […]

Field Evidence of Carbon and Nitrogen Stabilization Through Mineral-Associated Organic Matter Formation in Coastal Wetland Soils

With environmental conditions dynamic by nature, research often aims to understand the factors that influence soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) storage through the inhibition of soil organic matter (SOM) mineralization. Characterization of mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM), a stable pool of SOM, has been heavily researched in upland soils, but quantification within wetland soils remains […]

Engineering With Nature® Proving Grounds Innovation Handbook

The cover of the "Engineering With Nature Proving Grounds Innovation Handbook." The image shows a vibrant coastal marsh with a city skyline in the distance, under a clear blue sky. The title is at the top, with a series of six colorful icons below it. At the bottom are the logos of the U.S. Army, ERDC, and other partners, with the text "Produced by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2026."

The Engineering With Nature® Proving Grounds Innovation Handbook provides a comprehensive framework for integrating innovative natural and nature-based features and sediment management strategies to address climate-driven hazards and increase resilience in coastal and fluvial environments. Developed through collaboration between engineers, scientist, landscape architects, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers districts and divisions, the EWN Handbook […]

Coastal nature-based solutions and remote sensing data: selecting performance metrics and evaluating data availability

First page of a research letter titled “Coastal nature-based solutions and remote sensing data: Selecting performance metrics and evaluating data availability.” Authors include Scott L. Spurgeon, Justin L. Shawler, Kathryn J. Smith, Loderay I.M. Bracero Marrero, and Samuel S. Jackson, with affiliations to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and partner organizations. The page includes an abstract describing the use of coastal imagery and lidar from the National Coastal Mapping Program (NCMP) to assess performance metrics for nature-based solutions such as dunes, beaches, and barrier islands. A keywords box lists terms like aerial imagery, lidar, shoreline change, vegetation, and volume change. The lower portion begins the article text discussing the growing need for nature-based solutions in coastal engineering and the importance of standardized performance metrics. Footer shows “Shore & Beach, Vol. 94, No. 1, Winter 2026,” page 28.

While traditional field-based methods are typically used to assess project performance of nature-based solutions (NBS), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ National Coastal Mapping Program (NCMP) has regularly collected coastal imagery and Lidar datasets, resulting in a wealth of information proven successful for assessing coastal storm risk, storm impacts, and dune vegetation benefits. This Research […]

Building Tomorrow: Unlocking the Potential of Additive Manufacturing to Revolutionize Coastal Infrastructure

Cover image for journal article "Building Tomorrow: Unlocking the Potential of Additive Manufacturing to Revolutionize Coastal Infrastructure" showing the title of the journal, Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management, and the title of the article, author names, and abstract.

Natural and engineered waterborne infrastructure are critical resources necessary for coastal protection, economic security, and ecosystem services; however, increasing pressures from natural hazard events are compromising the performance and resilience of these systems. Addressing these challenges requires innovative approaches that enhance infrastructure functionality while expanding social, economic, ecological, and recreational benefits. Additive manufacturing (AM), including […]

Upscaling nature-based solutions for reducing risk from natural hazards: From process to practice

Publication cover for journal: Advances in Water Resources V206

Nature-based solutions (NbS) offer an innovative approach to reducing risks from natural hazards, aligning ecological processes with engineering objectives. However, successfully scaling NbS from site-specific interventions to systems-level applications remains a challenge. This paper examines an Engineering With Nature® (EWN®) case study to explore how NbS can be integrated into broader, systems-based engineering practices, demonstrating […]

Developing an inventory of US Army Corps of Engineers’ nature-based infrastructure projects

Cover for publication: ERDC-EL-SR-25-4: Developing an inventory of US Army Corps of Engineers’ nature-based infrastructure projects, June 2025.

The purpose of this report is to recommend a framework for developing a comprehensive database of US Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) natural infrastructure (NI) projects. Natural infrastructure is defined as an area or system that is naturally occurring, naturalized, or constructed to mimic naturally occurring features and then intentionally managed to enhance ecosystem value […]

Financing natural infrastructure : Lightning Point, Alabama

Cover page for publication: ERDC-TN-EWN-25-4

This technical note explores the restoration of Lightning Point, an award-winning natural infrastructure project led by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in coastal Alabama. The story of Lightning Point provides an exemplar case study of successful coordination of cross-sector partnerships and the use of ecosystem services valuation to attract project funding. Knowledge gaps surrounding natural infrastructure […]

3D printing natural materials for nature-inspired infrastructure—a beneficial use opportunity : collaborative research workshop synthesis

Natural infrastructure—crucial for coastal resilience, flood risk management, and ecosystem services—confronts escalating challenges from rising seas, erosion, storms, and human impacts. Innovative approaches are needed to enhance infrastructure functionality and broaden social, economic, and environmental benefits. Traditional manufacturing constrains engineering creativity required for nature-inspired infrastructure (NII). Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing (3DP), could revolutionize the […]

EWN Compass: Implementation Toolbox for Natural and Nature-Based Features

First page screenshot for EWN Compass: Implementation Toolbox for Natural and Nature-Based Features ERDC/TN EWN-25-6 SEPTEMBER 2025

This Engineering With Nature® (EWN®) technical note introduces the EWN Compass: Implementation Toolbox for Natural and Nature-Based Features—a user-friendly, web-based application developed using Esri ArcGIS Online. Designed to support practitioners in selecting and integrating natural and nature-based features (NNBF) into infrastructure projects, the toolbox provides structured access to existing resources, case studies, and environmental data […]