Sand Dunes Restoration in Almada

1. General information

Location and description of the intervention

City or FUA

Lisboa (FUA)

Region

Europe

Native title of the NBS intervention

ReDuna

Short description of the intervention

The ReDuna project, initiated in 2014, focuses on restoring the sand dune ecosystem in Costa da Caparica (Almada) in response to severe coastal erosion exacerbated by sea-level rise and winter storms. It aims to strengthen the resilience of dunes to environmental pressures while restoring ecological balance. Actions include sand nourishment, the installation of willow sand fences, and the planting of 100,000 native species. Community engagement was a key factor, involving local residents, NGOs, and schools in maintenance and replanting efforts. The project has been successful, with significant biodiversity recovery, establishing deep-rooted vegetation, and stabilising the dunes. Ongoing monitoring and adaptive management are central to its strategy, ensuring long-term sustainability. The ReDuna project serves as a replicable model for similar coastal protection initiatives globally (Ref 1).

Website of the intervention

https://networknature.eu/casestudy/22495

Principal problems

Climate-Related Hazards

Coastal hazards (e.g. erosion, flooding)

Sea level rise

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

Costa da Caparica
Portugal

Location

The NBS area is spread over a linear space, the GIS coordinates serve as points along a line (e.g. along a river)

Area boundary (map-based)

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)

2014

Start date of intervention (implementation process)

2014

End date of the intervention

unknown

Present stage of the intervention

Completed

2. Objectives of the intervention

Objectives of the intervention

Goals of the intervention

1. Restore the resilience of Costa da Caparica’s dune-beach ecosystem to sea-level rise and storms.
2. Mitigate coastal erosion and protect nearby infrastructure and tourism.
3. Stabilize dunes using sand nourishment, willow fences, and native plant species.
4. Increase biodiversity through the recolonization of native flora and fauna.
5. Involve the local community in restoration and maintenance.
6. Demonstrate the effectiveness of nature-based solutions (NbS) for coastal protection (Ref 1).

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

Coastal resilience and marine protection (SDG 14)

Coastal protection / hazard mitigation

Marine and coastal biodiversity protection

Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)

Habitat and biodiversity restoration

Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?

Restore mangroves, marshes, reefs and wetlands to dissipate the effects of storms and floodwaters

Restore sediment supply to coastal zone

Protect and restore coastal ecosystems, to address loss of land and livelihoods, due to rising sea levels

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

Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)

Restore native species

Clear and control invasive alien species

Implementation activities and NBS focus

Implementation activities

1. Sand nourishment: The beach was replenished with sand to restore its natural profile and protect against erosion.
2. Willow sand fences installation: Fences were placed to trap sand and help stabilize the dune system, addressing sediment loss and erosion.
3. Planting 100,000 native species: Local plants were used to help bind the sand and create a strong, deep-rooted dune network, improving ecosystem resilience.
4. Community engagement: Local residents, NGOs, and schools participated in maintenance activities, ensuring continued local support and knowledge sharing.
5. Mitigation of human pressure: Pathways and fences were installed to limit human disturbance and protect sensitive dune areas.
6. Ongoing monitoring: Geomorphological and ecological parameters are monitored to assess dune health and adapt management as needed.
By stabilizing the dunes, increasing biodiversity, and engaging the community, the project addresses erosion, storm vulnerability, and human impact, creating a self-sustaining protective coastal ecosystem (Ref 1).

Type of NBS project

Coastal landscape management or protection

Coastal ecosystems restoration and maintenance (mangroves, dunes, saltplains, underwater meadows)

Improving coastal resilience

3. NBS domains, ES and scale

NBS domain and interventions

Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented

Blue infrastructure

Coastlines

Other

Please specify "other blue area"

Dunes

Amenities offered by the NBS

Unknown

Design elements for well-being

None of the above

Services

Expected ecosystem services delivered

Regulating services

Coastal protection

Scale

Spatial scale

Meso-scale: Regional, metropolitan and urban level

Beneficiaries

Demographics in implementation area

Not applicable

Socio-economic profile of the area

Unknown

Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts

Unknown

Non-government actors

Researchers, university

Primary Beneficiaries

Citizens or community groups

Coastal-dependent communities (e.g. small-scale fishers, coastal farmers, and indigenous peoples)

Young people and children

Specify primary beneficiaries

The primary beneficiaries of the ReDuna project are the local community of Almada, including those dependent on tourism and coastal infrastructure. Tourists and local businesses benefit from enhanced coastal protection. Other actors, such as local schools and NGOs, are engaged in the project through environmental education and restoration activities, promoting community resilience (Ref 1).

Marginalized groups

Vulnerable populations in disaster-prone areas

Measures for inclusion of marginalised groups

Yes, the ReDuna project involves local schools, NGOs, and communities, offering education and participation in restoration efforts. This ensures that children and vulnerable populations benefit while enhancing coastal protection in disaster-prone areas (Ref 1).

Other beneficiaries

Native plant vegetation

Endangered species (flora and fauna)

Natural habitats (e.g. wetland, forests, coastal areas)

4. Governance and financing

Governance

Governance arrangements

Co-governance with government and non-government actors

Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative

The ReDuna project is governed through a collaboration between the Municipality of Almada and scientific institutions, particularly the Faculty of Science at Lisbon University, which leads the monitoring and adaptive management efforts. (Ref 1)
"The ReDuna project was financed by the EU Structural & Cohesion Funds for coastal protection through the National Environmental Agency of Portugal. In this first phase, the fund financed the hard costs associated with structural actions" (Ref 1).
"The project established strong community involvement: The area’s design was presented, discussed and defined with the engagement of target groups. (...) After the implementation phase, several maintenance actions followed, which included native species plantation and invasive alien species removal with the involvement of the local community, NGOs and schools, with the support of the Municipality’s Environmental Education and Awareness Division" (Ref. 1)
Portuguese Environmental Agency is also involved

Key actors - initiating organization

Local government/municipality

Researchers/university

Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)

National government

Non-government organisation/civil society

Citizens or community group

EU body

Stages of citizen and community engagement

Planning and design (e.g. site selection, identification of key priorities)

Decision-making among different alternative plans

On-the-ground implementation

Level of citizen and community engagement

High

Community empowerment or capacity-building initiatives

Implementation of educational programs, workshops or trainings

Formation of community-led groups responsible for the the implementation, maintenace or monitoring of the project

Other

Please specify other form of Community empowerment or capacity-building initiatives

Early review of project plans and on-the-ground implementation (Ref. 1)

Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders)

Deliberative decision-making processes (e.g., consensus building, deliberative polling)

Dissemination of information and education

Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)

Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)

Uncommon actors ("Missing actors")

Community & Social Groups

Informal groups with joint interests (e.g. mothers with toddlers, runners, dog walkers)

Public Services

Schools

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"

The project aligns with regional and national coastal management policies, ensuring its integration into broader coastal protection strategies. (Ref 1)

NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan

Yes

Please specify the national regulations/strategy/plan

Regional Coastal Management Plans (Ref 1)

If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme/type of the plan

Other

Please specify other national policy instrument

Regional Coastal Management Plans (Ref 1)

NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan

Unknown

Mandatory or voluntary intervention

Unknown

Enablers & Barriers

Type of enablers

NBS research project (e.g., H2020, Urban Living Labs, national research projects)

Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city)

Please provide details (e.g, name of the plan or strategy) for the selected policies or initiatives.

The ReDuna project started in 2014 and collaborated with other EU-funded projects. The ReDuna project was financed by the EU Structural and Investment Funds & the EU Cohesion Fund for coastal protection through the National Environmental Agency of Portugal. (Ref. 4).

Governace and decison-making instruments

Unknown

Arrangements for governance cooperation

Unknown

Barriers

Barriers to the ReDuna project included challenges in the economic valuation of ecosystem services, as these are difficult to quantify and rarely accounted for in local economic planning. Additionally, the recognition of nature-based solutions (NbS) for coastal defence was initially limited, making it hard to secure funding. The project faced difficulties in accessing EU Structural and Cohesion Funds, as NbS were initially viewed only as biodiversity protection measures, not for coastal resilience. Overcoming this required a holistic approach to demonstrate the multifunctional benefits of NbS for disaster prevention and coastal management (Ref 4).

Financing

Total cost

€100,000 - €500,000

Please specify total cost (EUR)

250000€ (Ref. 4)

What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?

250000€ (Ref. 4)

Source(s) of funding

EU funds

Multilateral funds/international funding

Other

Please specify other source of funding

The ReDuna project was financed by the EU Structural and Investment Funds & the EU Cohesion Fund for coastal protection through the National Environmental Agency of Portugal (Ref. 4)

Type of fund(s) used

Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)

Non-financial contribution

Yes

Who provided the non-financial contribution?

Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)

Citizens (e.g. volunteering)

Type of non-financial contribution

Provision of labour

Provision of expertise

Co-finance for NBS

Yes

Co-governance arrangement

A fund / grant

Entrepreneurship opportunities

Unknown

Business models

Risk reduction model

Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?

Public actor (e.g. municipality)

Private non-for-profit actor (e.g. NGO, foundation)

5. Evaluation and learning

Impacts, benefits

Environmental impacts

Climate change

Increased protection against sea level rise

Expected increased protection against sea level rise

Water management and blue areas

Increased protection against flooding

Achieved increased protection against flooding

Enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems

Achieved enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems

Green space and habitat

Increased green space area

Achieved increased green space area

Increased number of species present

Achieved increased number of species present

Description of environmental benefits

-Increased protection against flooding; Enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems : "The beach was sand nourished, and the dune profile along 1.1 kilometres of the coast was restored using willow sand fences and planting of native dune plant species (100,000 plants) to help the recovery process. For this end, seeds were collected from a nearby area to preserve the local genetic integrity of the site." (Ref 4) + "The restored dune fostered resilience to storm effects and coastal erosion due to a more stable sediment transfer and balance between the dunes, the beach and the ocean floor." (Ref 4)
- Increased number of species present & Increased green space area: Planting of 100,000 native dune plant species (Ref 4).
-Increased protection against sea level rise: The project aimed to tackle challenges posed by sea-level rise (Ref 4).

Environmental impact indicators

Total number of vascular plant species protected or introduced

100,000 plants

Economic impacts

More sustainable tourism

Achieved more sustainable tourism

Description of economic benefits

More sustainable tourism: "Beach support-structure owners were also able to ensure economic revenue from the facilities throughout time, benefiting directly from the coastal defence through avoided damage and indirectly from increased tourism." (Ref 4)

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

Progress indicators

Outcome indicators

Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports

No evidence in public records

Availability of a web-based monitoring tool

No evidence in public records

Name of any specific impact assessment tools

Unknown

Use of GIS in mapping impacts

No evidence in public records

Cost-benefit analysis

Unknown

Transparency

Inclusion of diverse stakeholders in project governance processes (e.g. planning, implementation, monitoring, etc.)

Community forums for information sharing and encouraging the participation of marginalized groups

Justice

Community satisfaction

Unknown

Description of locals satisfaction with the project

Unknown

Trade-offs & Negative impacts

Unknown

Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement

Unknown

High-quality & Transformative NBS

Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community)

Yes

Goal setting and impacts delivery

No, although benefits were delivered in all the 3 key areas, but in the planning phase, the project did not aim to address issues in all the 3 key priority areas.

Reaching original project goals

Some of the project goals were achieved

Long-term perspective

Yes

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

The NBS has been shared or used as a good practice to trigger transformative change

Perception of Environmental Change

Unknown

6. Sources

References

Network Nature (n.d.). ReDuna - Restoration of S. João da Caparica Sand Dunes. Accessed on September 5, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Palma; M.; Alveirinho Dias, J.; Freitas, J. (2021). It’s not only the sea: a history of human intervention in the beach-dune ecosystem of Costa da Caparica (Portugal). Journal of Integrated Coastal Zone Management, Accessed on September 5, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Palma, M. (2021). LIKE A GRAIN OF SAND. Environmental History Now, Accessed on September 5, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Rizzi, D.; Utkarsh, S.; Roca Vallejo, R. (n.d.). THE REDUNA PROJECT IN ALMADA. ICLEI, Accessed on September 5, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Comments and notes

Public Images

The image shows the results of the coastal protection intervention.

Coastal Protection Infrastructure

https://networknature.eu/casestudy/22495

7. Scorecards

Indicator

Achieved increased protection against flooding

Impact evaluation

Moderate

Degree of confidence

Medium

Indicator

Achieved enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems

Impact evaluation

Strong

Degree of confidence

Medium

Indicator

Achieved increased green space area

Impact evaluation

Strong

Degree of confidence

Medium

Indicator

Achieved increased number of species present

Impact evaluation

Moderate

Degree of confidence

Medium