Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana

Citizens Working to Protect and Restore a Sustainable Coastal Louisiana

Terracing Symposium - April 12, 2006
 
 

Over 40 researchers, managers, consultants, students and other stakeholders from state and federal agencies, academia, and non-governmental organizations gathered at Ione E. Burden Conference Center at LSU to share information on the benefits and functions of earthen terraces.


Terraces are artificially constructed earthen berms built in open water areas and often times planted with native vegetative material. Terraces function as a vital tool in assisting in coastal preservation, restoration and establishing fisheries habitat.


Specifically, terraces assist in reducing shoreline erosion by dampening wave energy in open water areas. Additionally, terraces establish fisheries habitat by increasing the marsh-water interface or marsh edge and thereby increasing the habitat area.
 
The terracing symposium, sponsored by the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana included presentations on engineering, plant growth, soil characteristics, sediment trapping, water bird and nekton usage, as well as GIS and digital video monitoring.

This one day symposium concluded with a panel led discussion on the perceived needs, goals and questions yet to be answered about terracing projects and also included a discussion about some of the negative impacts possibly associated with terraces that need to be addressed.

 
 
Presentations