1. General information Location and description of the intervention City or FUA Dublin (FUA) Region Europe Short description of the intervention Coastal erosion is a well-known consequence of climate change, driven by rising sea levels, extreme storms, and powerful coastal surges. Dollymount Strand, a popular spot for bathing and water sports in Dublin, is particularly vulnerable. Located on North Bull Island and managed by Dublin City Council, the area is part of several protected zones, including a Special Area of Amenity, a Special Area of Conservation, a Special Protection Area, a Ramsar Wetland, a Natura 2000 site, and the UNESCO Dublin Bay Biosphere. To help mitigate this issue, Dublin City Council has implemented a solution that works with, rather than against, natural processes. During late summer and autumn—particularly following high tides, warm weather, and storms—a type of seaweed called Ectocarpus siliculosis naturally accumulates along Dublin Bay’s beaches. Instead of removing it, the council allows the seaweed to remain, recognizing its essential role in maintaining the beach’s rich biodiversity. Ectocarpus contributes to the health of the coastal ecosystem, supporting marine life and enhancing the natural resilience of Dublin Bay. (1.2) Website of the intervention https://www.caro.ie/projects-research/case-studies/using-waste-from-an-algae-(e… Principal problems Climate-Related Hazards Coastal hazards (e.g. erosion, flooding) Extreme weather events (e.g. storms, hurricanes) Environmental Degradation Biodiversity loss Implementation area characterization Climate Temperate ( Humid subtropical, Hot-summer Mediterranean, Warm-summer Mediterranean, Warm-temperate with dry winter) Ecosystem Sandy coastal ecosystems (including beaches and dunes) Address Dollymount Strand, Clontarf Dublin Ireland Location The NBS is situated in an area, with clear delineation of boundaries and a specific shape (polygon). The NBS project can also have more than one area location (more than one polygon, situated close by). Area boundary (map-based) NBS area image Source of NBS area image Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1569843223002753?ref=pdf_download&fr=RR-2&rr=8db3db3eff71c2f2 Area description Seascape Type of area before implementation of the NBS Sea coast (e.g. dunes, beach) Timeline of intervention Start date of the intervention (planning process) unknown Start date of intervention (implementation process) 2016 End date of the intervention ongoing Present stage of the intervention Ongoing 2. Objectives of the intervention Objectives of the intervention Goals of the intervention To mitigate coastal erosion. To reduce the impact of waves and water surges. To preserve biodiversity. To protect sensitive habitats. To maintain the recreational value of the beach To enhance public awareness and engagement about coastal erosion To maintain the ecological health of the beach. To prevent pollution and promote environmental cleanliness (1, 4, 7) Key Priorities Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation) Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration) Sustainability challenge(s) addressed Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13) Climate change adaptation Environmental quality Waste management Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15) Habitat and biodiversity conservation Health and well-being (SDG 3) Creation of opportunities for recreation Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets? Implement measures that prevent/manage desertification, soil erosion and landslides Restore sediment supply to coastal zone Reducing socio-economic vulnerability to climate impacts (e.g. awareness raising) Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention? Ecosystem-focused Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets? Protect and enhance urban habitats Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems Reduce negative impacts and avoid the alteration/damage of ecosystem Means for conservation governance Raise public awareness What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention? Ecosystem-focused What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets? Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems Implementation activities and NBS focus Implementation activities The primary approach to managing Ectocarpus siliculosis, a type of seaweed that accumulates on Dublin Bay beaches, focuses on preserving its natural role within the beach ecosystem. In late summer and autumn—especially during high tides, warm weather, and post-storm conditions—a type of seaweed called Ectocarpus siliculosis often accumulates along Dublin Bay beaches. Ectocarpus siliculosis is considered to be a naturally occurring nuisance species. Typically growing on the seabed from early springtime until the end of its lifecycle in the autumn when it dies out. At this time of year the seaweed is decaying and becoming uprooted from the sea bed and washing ashore at various locations along Dublin Bay. When large amounts of Ectocarpus gather on Dollymount Strand, the seaweed is raked into mounds up to two meters high and positioned in front of the sand dunes. These mounds act as natural, soft-engineering coastal defenses, creating a barrier that absorbs and reduces the force of water, thus protecting the dune structures from erosion. To prevent pollution, major litter is removed from the mounds before they are set in place. Staff have observed that this is helping to slow down dune erosion in this part of the beach and research has been carried out to determine the effectiveness of this technique. (1,2). Type of NBS project Coastal landscape management or protection Coastal ecosystems restoration and maintenance (mangroves, dunes, saltplains, underwater meadows) Improving coastal resilience Ecological restoration of ecosystems Restoration and protection of ecosystems (including water ecosystems) Protection of natural ecosystems Habitat conservation Marine and coastal conservation initiatives Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity Species-specific monitoring and conservation programs 3. NBS domains, ES and scale NBS domain and interventions Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented Blue infrastructure Coastlines Amenities offered by the NBS Unknown Design elements for well-being None of the above Services Expected ecosystem services delivered Regulating services Coastal protection Habitat and supporting services Habitats for species Scale Spatial scale Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level Beneficiaries Demographics in implementation area The area is located in the natural reserve of North Bull, where only natural flora and fauna exist (1). Socio-economic profile of the area Unknown Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts Unknown Primary Beneficiaries Local government/Municipality Researchers/University Citizens or community groups Specify primary beneficiaries The project maintains the recreational value of Dollymount Strand, encouraging continued use by bathers and walkers. Public awareness efforts, such as informing citizens about bathing water quality, also benefit the community. While the local government benefits from the project through enhanced coastal protection and reduced costs associated with managing erosion and flooding. Lastly, this project provides an opportunity for research into the effectiveness of nature-based solutions for coastal protection and biodiversity conservation (1). Marginalized groups Unknown Other beneficiaries Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators) Native plant vegetation Natural habitats (e.g. wetland, forests, coastal areas) 4. Governance and financing Governance Governance arrangements Government-led Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative Dublin City Council manages the project, which oversees the maintenance and management of Dollymount Strand on North Bull Island and addresses public complaints, often clarifying the misconception that decaying seaweed is sewage. Climate Action Regional Office (CARO) conducted research to evaluate the effectiveness of using Ectocarpus mounds as coastal defence, assessing how this natural process influences dune erosion and contributes to the overall efficacy of the intervention (1). Key actors - initiating organization Local government/municipality Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors) Regional government Stages of citizen and community engagement Unknown Level of citizen and community engagement Unknown Community empowerment or capacity-building initiatives Unknwon Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders) Dissemination of information and education Co-management/Joint management Uncommon actors ("Missing actors") Unknown Land owners Public space owned by the city Policy drivers NBS intervention implemented in response to a Regional Directive/Strategy Yes Please specify the "Regional Directive/Strategy" Natura 2000 and Dublin Bay Biosphere (UNESCO) (1) NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan Unknown NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan Yes Please specify the "local regulation/strategy/plan" Special Area of Amenity by Order and a Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area, a Ramsar Wetland, An Taisce Blue flag status (1) Relevant strategy or plan Biodiversity strategy or plan Municipal / city level environmental plan or programme Mandatory or voluntary intervention Mandatory (based on policy) Intervention is mandatory Spatial planning law Environmental regulation Enablers & Barriers Type of enablers Unknown Governace and decison-making instruments Legislative and regulatory instruments (e.g. laws, strategies, regulations or restrictions) Standards, certifications or guidelines (e.g. standards for accessible green space; biodiversity standards) Arrangements for governance cooperation Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) or agreements (e.g. among local governance and other actors outlining project roles and responsibilities of project implementation) Barriers One challenge was the public's perception of the naturally accumulated seaweed, Ectocarpus siliculosis. When the seaweed begins to break down, it turns a dark brown color and emits a foul odor. This natural decomposition process often leads members of the public to mistake it for sewage effluent, mistakenly believing it is discharged from the nearby wastewater treatment plant in Ringsend. Given that North Bull Island is a popular bathing spot, this misconception can deter residents and visitors from using the beach, impacting its recreational value (1). Financing Total cost Unknown Please specify total cost (EUR) Unknown Source(s) of funding Public local authority budget Type of fund(s) used Earmarked public budget Non-financial contribution Unknown Co-finance for NBS Unknown Entrepreneurship opportunities Unknown Business models Business models Risk reduction model Urban offsetting model (biodiversity or water) Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model? Public actor (e.g. municipality) 5. Evaluation and learning Impacts, benefits Environmental impacts Climate change Strengthened capacity to address climate hazards/natural disasters Expected strengthened capacity to address climate hazards/natural disasters Enhanced protection against extreme weather events (e.g. storms, cyclones, tidal surges, coastal erosion) Expected enhanced protection against extreme weather events (e.g. storms, cyclones, tidal surges, coastal erosion) Water management and blue areas Enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems Expected enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems Green space and habitat Reduced biodiversity loss Expected reduced biodiversity loss Description of environmental benefits -Strengthened capacity to address climate hazards/natural disasters: "The mounds act as nature based, soft engineering coastal defence by providing an initial barrier to the force and scouring effects of large volumes of water, thereby helping to reduce coastal erosion of the dune structure." (Ref. 1) -Enhanced protection against extreme weather events (e.g. storms, cyclones, tidal surges, coastal erosion): "The mounds help protect sensitive habitats, such as the dune system and wetlands, from coastal erosion." (Ref. 1) -Reduced biodiversity loss: "Ectocarpus is not removed from the beach as it is part of the natural process contributing to the rich biodiversity of Dublin Bay." (Ref. 1) Economic impacts Unknown Description of economic benefits Unknown Social and cultural impacts Unknown Description of social and cultural benefits Unknown Evidence for use of assessment Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process Yes Actors involved in the assessment, monitoring or evaluation of NBS impacts Researchers/university Presence of indicators used in reporting Yes Type of indicators Output indicators Progress indicators Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports Yes Link to monitoring/evaluation reports https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1569843223002753 Availability of a web-based monitoring tool Yes Link to a web-based monitoring tool https://www.dublincity.ie/residential/environment/protection-water-bodies/beach… Name of any specific impact assessment tools Dublin City Council monitors bathing water quality at its three designated bathing waters namely Dollymount Strand, Sandymount Strand and the newly designated Half Moon. Assessment of water quality involves analysis of two types of bacteria (E coli and Intestinal Enterococci) which may be present in the water. These bacteria are indicators of water quality (5). Use of GIS in mapping impacts Yes Cost-benefit analysis Unknown Transparency Online disclosure of technical reports (e.g. project documents, reports, or data) Justice Community satisfaction Mixed: Feedback and reports show a combination of positive and negative sentiments regarding satisfaction with the NBS project within the community. Description of locals satisfaction with the project While the Dublin City Council has made efforts to address public concerns by providing clear information about the seaweed's lifecycle and its environmental role, some residents remain dissatisfied. Initial complaints often mistook the decaying seaweed for sewage, and although the Council's regular inspections, water sampling, and updates on beaches.ie have helped clarify the situation. The Waste Management Department’s work to keep footpaths safe and minimize the impact on pedestrian areas is appreciated, but the natural presence of seaweed on beaches continues to be a point of contention (7). Trade-offs & Negative impacts Social justice and conflicts Lack of social acceptance Please specify Trade-offs & Negative impacts Selected Initial complaints often mistook the decaying seaweed for sewage, and although the Council's regular inspections, water sampling, and updates on beaches.ie have helped clarify the situation. The Waste Management Department’s work to keep footpaths safe and minimize the impact on pedestrian areas is appreciated, but the natural presence of seaweed on beaches continues to be a point of contention (7). Emphasis of existing social inequalities or injustices No information reported related to negative social justice-related impacts of the NBS project Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement No initiatives or policies were implemented High-quality & Transformative NBS Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community) No Goal setting and impacts delivery In the planning phase, the project aimed to address issues in all 3 key priority areas, but impacts were not delivered in all three key areas. Reaching original project goals Most of the project goals were achieved Please specify the achievements of the project goals Climate action and biodiversity Goals: -Strengthened capacity to address climate hazards/natural disasters: "The mounds act as nature based, soft engineering coastal defence by providing an initial barrier to the force and scouring effects of large volumes of water, thereby helping to reduce coastal erosion of the dune structure." (Ref. 1) -Enhanced protection against extreme weather events (e.g. storms, cyclones, tidal surges, coastal erosion): "The mounds help protect sensitive habitats, such as the dune system and wetlands, from coastal erosion." (Ref. 1) -Reduced biodiversity loss: "Ectocarpus is not removed from the beach as it is part of the natural process contributing to the rich biodiversity of Dublin Bay." (Ref. 1) Long-term perspective Unknown: No information about the project's long-term sustainability. Cost-effective solutions Unknown Equitable impacts C. Unknown Transformative capacity Ecological change (e.g. ecosystem functions and their distribution) Magnitude of change Reformist: by focusing on addressing underlying drivers of change but failing to address the problem structurally or systemically Application of lessons learned Unknown Perception of Environmental Change Unknown 6. Sources References 1. CARO (n.d.). Case Study: Mitigation Coastal Erosion using Algae (Ectocarpus). CARO, Accessed on August 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 2. O'Sullivan, K. (2020). Swimming ban at three beaches following overflow at Ringsend wastewater treatment plant. The Irish Times, Accessed on August 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 3. Dublin Bay Biosphere (n.d.). About Dublin Bay Biosphere. Dublin Bay Biosphere, Accessed on August 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 4. Haro, S., Bermejo, R., Wilkes, R., Bull, L., Morrison, L. (2023). Monitoring intertidal golden tides dominated by Ectocarpus siliculosus using Sentinel-2 imagery. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation 122, Accessed on August 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 5. Dublin City Council (n.d.). Beaches and Bathing Water Quality. Dublin City Council, Accessed on August 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 6. Dublin City Council (n.d.). Research at North Bull Island UNESCO Biosphere 1995-2014. Dublin City Council, Accessed on August 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 7. Bathing Water Task Force (2023). Dublin Bay Bathing Waters Report by the Bathing Water Task Force . Bathing Water Task Force , Accessed on September 12, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; Comments and notes Public Images Image Ectocarpus carpeting South Side Dublin Bay, Niamh Ni Cholmain September 2016 Ref. 1 Image Ectocarpus mounds near fore dunes Dollymount Strand, North Bull Island. Dublin CARO August 2020 Ref. 1 Image Ectocarpus carpeting at Dollymount Strand, Dublin CARO August 2020 Ref. 1
Image Ectocarpus mounds near fore dunes Dollymount Strand, North Bull Island. Dublin CARO August 2020 Ref. 1
