Quantifying Hybrid Dunes for Barrier Island Resiliency

Project Information

This project evaluates the effectiveness of hybrid dune systems—combinations of natural and hardened materials—for enhancing coastal protection and barrier island resilience. Through physical and ecological experiments, combined with life-cycle economic modeling, the team will generate data to guide the design, planning, and performance assessment of hybrid dunes. The effort will establish a testable framework for evaluating natural infrastructure performance and inform future coastal engineering guidance.

Two photos of shorelines, first has long barrier away from shore wrapped in canvas. The second has an exposed rock barrier. — Exposed geocube and exposed rock core dunes in New Jersey (New Jersey Sea Grant, 2015)

Problem

Barrier islands play a critical role in protecting inland areas from coastal storms but are increasingly vulnerable to erosion. Hybrid dunes are emerging as a promising approach to strengthen shorelines, yet limited data exist on their performance. This project addresses Statement of Need 2024 – Development of Standardized Methods to Calculate and Compare Benefits for Feasibility-Level Planning, and supports USACE strategic priorities in sediment management, water modeling, and ecosystem-based solutions.

Solution

Research Approach

Conduct laboratory flume experiments on hybrid dune designs with varying core materials (e.g., geotextile, rock, honeycomb structures)
Run parallel greenhouse studies to evaluate vegetation growth and root interaction with hybrid designs
Integrate erosion data into life-cycle analysis tools like Beach-fx/CHARTS to quantify economic benefits
Host workshops and literature reviews to align experiments with field needs
Share findings through videos, journal publications, and technical reports

Expected Outcomes

Engineering performance metrics for multiple hybrid dune designs
Vegetation data showing ecological compatibility and contributions to dune stability
Improved parameterization of hybrid systems in life-cycle modeling tools
Practical guidance for USACE districts and partners implementing hybrid dunes
A reproducible framework for evaluating other types of natural infrastructure

Impact

This research provides critical performance data that will inform design decisions for hybrid dunes—an increasingly used solution in both civil and military coastal zones. The findings will reduce uncertainty in project planning, support cost-effective sediment management, and help advance sustainable infrastructure solutions. Updated thresholds for modeling tools will enhance realism in Beach-fx studies and contribute to more defensible project justifications.

Partnerships & Collaboration

The project brings together expertise from ERDC’s Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory and Environmental Laboratory, along with partners such as the University of Florida’s Center for Coastal Solutions and multiple USACE Districts. Input from Jacksonville, Mobile, New York, and Great Lakes districts—as well as local municipalities—will inform the experiment design and ensure relevance to field applications. A seminar and workshop series will capture stakeholder input and identify knowledge gaps to shape project direction.

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Point of Contact

Leigh Langley

Research Coastal Engineer, USACE-ERDC Coastal & Hydraulics Laboratory

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