Beaches, barrier islands and tidal inlets are dynamic landforms that constantly change, driven by normal processes and energetic storms. This book discusses their morphology, the processes that shape them, and some of the future challenges. A major focus is placed on the interaction between sandy beaches and tidal inlets and the sediment exchange among various morphologic features. The book explains how balancing sediment resources while maintaining the natural sediment exchange constitutes a major goal of modern shore protection and coastal management. The book is illustrated with numerous aerial photographs to demonstrate how beaches and tidal inlets interact. Although some figures are in colour, most are in monochrome, and almost all refer to the U.S.A.

Following a general introduction (Chapter 1), the book considers beach and inlet systems under different geological and oceanographic settings (Chapter 2), hydrodynamics and sediment processes applicable to beach-inlet systems (Chapter 3), sedimentology and morphodynamics of beach-inlet systems (Chapter 4), and interaction of beaches and inlets (Chapter 5). Coastal engineering and management topics include methods to mitigate beach erosion and ensure inlet navigation safety (Chapter 6) and regional sediment management at beach-inlet systems (Chapter 7). In Chapter 8, consideration is given to the resiliency of beach-inlet systems facing sea-level rise, storm impacts, and human stresses.

Although the review of various beach-inlet systems under different geological and oceanographic settings in Chapter 2 draws exclusively on the U.S.A.'s east and west coast environments, the examples provided represent most features found worldwide. The review of hydrodynamic and sediment processes in Chapter 3 covers the fundamentals of wave and tide forcing and the functional interactions between waves and tides in beach-inlet systems. Key mechanisms of nearshore sediment transport and commonly used formulas for calculating the sediment transport rate by tidal currents and breaking and non-breaking waves are also provided. There is also some useful reference to various parametric models for inlet morphology and stability.

Chapter 4 describes the various features and morphodynamics within a typical barrier-inlet system. It also covers the sediment characteristics associated with each feature, equilibrium beach profiles, depth of closure and Bruun rule concepts, together with dunes, ebb, and flood deltas. Chapter 5 examines the interactions between beaches and inlets with a special focus on inlet stability and sediment bypassing across a tidal inlet. Chapter 6 reviews various methods to mitigate beach erosion and ensure inlet navigation safety within the framework of beach-inlet interaction. Chapter 7 discusses regional sediment management in beach-inlet systems, focusing on developing and balancing sediment budgets at various temporal and spatial scales. Chapter 8 evaluates the resiliency of beach-inlet systems facing sea-level rise, storm impacts, and human stresses. A comprehensive bibliography is provided to direct further reading.

The authors cover many strands of current academic research and initiate the reader into understanding beach-inlet interaction and sediment management. While the move towards nature-based management is touched upon, the emphasis is on traditional hard engineering. Although reference is made to several conceptual and regime models, there is little reference to recent advances in the numerical modelling of beach and inlet morphodynamics. Nevertheless, these issues do not detract from the relevance of this book for graduate students, researchers, and professionals interested in the management and geomorphology of coastal inlets.

©Coastal Education and Research Foundation, Inc. 2023

Author notes