Degradation of coastal habitats results in significant reductions in ecosystem services and diminishes infrastructure protection against surge and wave activity during extreme weather events. While traditional shoreline stabilization techniques—such as rock revetments and concrete seawalls—offer physical protection, they often lack ecological benefits and adaptability to rising sea levels. In contrast, oyster reef restoration and nature-based shoreline solutions can restore ecosystem services and provide resilient shoreline protection that adjusts to future environmental changes.

This abstract presents the design, installation, and initial performance assessment of a Living Shoreline Mosaic™ (LSM™) constructed using concrete Reefense Modules™ at Tyndal Airforce Base, Panama City, Florida. Laboratory testing of the Reefense Modules™ demonstrated at least 70% wave attenuation and facilitated enhanced oyster colonization, indicating both economic and ecological advantages over conventional methods. The presentation will outline the methodology adopted for the deployment of the first full-scale reef, comprising 788 Reefense Modules™, and describe the challenges encountered during installation. Solutions implemented by WSP’s project team to address logistical and technical issues will be highlighted, showcasing the innovative approaches that contributed to the successful creation of a unique reef habitat.

This abstract also presents the techno-economic analysis (TEA) of potential costs and benefits at three potential sites upon large scale deployment of Reefense Modules™ (i.e., 10 kilometers of shoreline per year) using data gathered from the pilot study at Tyndall Air Force Base. The TEA included all direct costs (the materials, equipment, and labor), indirect costs (the permitting, engineering design, and administration), operating and other associated costs of the a company that owns the Reefense concept, co-benefits for fisheries, tourism, flora/fauna, tidal marshes, and shoreline stabilization, and avoided costs through the elimination of beach nourishment and reduction of property loss via shoreline erosion.

The TEA showed that deployment costs were the leading cost driver (40-45% of total cost) for each of the three potential sites, with the equipment and labor costs specifically being the most important components. Future research may focus on lowering the deployment labor costs through implementing newer installation techniques and the lowering the equipment costs through full ownership by the Reefense company of the entire production and deployment processes.