Guidebook for Living Shorelines in American Samoa
American Samoa’s coastal areas are integral to the cultural heritage, economy, and environmental health of the region. This guidebook is designed to provide an introduction and overview to using nature-based approaches to protect these areas from coastal erosion. Nature-based approaches, or “living shorelines,” combine natural and structural elements to create a more stable and resilient coastal environment that supports both human and ecological communities. Nature-based solutions often serve as alternatives to, or ecological enhancements of, traditional shoreline protection strategies, such as seawalls and revetments. Because nature-based solutions are designed to mimic specific ecosystems or ecological functions, they often need to be tailored to each site.
The purpose of this guide is to encourage development of living shorelines and use of nature-based solutions to address shoreline erosion and/or ecology issues, and to inform their assessment, planning, and implementation from existing territorial and federal guidance.