Long-Term Evaluation of Coastal Change Forecasting Following the Mont-Saint-Michel Bay Maritime Restoration Project, Normandy, France

A long-term evaluation of the Mont-Saint-Michel Bay Maritime Restoration Project reveals that engineering measures, such as embankment removal and managed retreat, have successfully enhanced erosion and deepening of tidal flats while maintaining ecological value. The study, using a 22-year LiDAR dataset, quantifies post-restoration topographic changes and sediment budgets, showing effective sediment export and spatial redistribution of salt marshes. However, discrepancies between model predictions and field observations highlight the challenges in forecasting long-term channel migration variability and adapting to evolving hydro-meteorological conditions. This research underscores the importance of adaptive management strategies for non-stationary tidal systems undergoing anthropogenic modifications and climate-driven environmental change.

Aleman, N., Levoy, F., Anthony, E. J., & Hamm, L. (2026). Long-Term Evaluation of Coastal Change Forecasting Following the Mont-Saint-Michel Bay Maritime Restoration Project, Normandy, France. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 14(11), 997. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14110997