Climate

Artificial mangrove roots offer temporary shield for Thailand’s eroding coastline

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 04/11/2026, 10:39:25 UTC.

Briefings

Thai coastal communities in Phra Samut Chedi district are testing artificial mangrove roots as a temporary erosion control measure. A 15-month trial at 11 sites captured 16 to 88 centimeters of sediment behind the structures, preventing land loss to the Gulf of Thailand. Unlike bamboo fences that break down, the composite wood-plastic and rubber systems allow water flow while creating turbulence to settle mud. The study was conducted by Butsawan Bidorn, a senior author at a university in Thailand, with findings published in November 2026.

Key points

• Artificial mangrove roots installed in Thailand's Phra Samut Chedi district captured 16 to 88 centimeters of sediment behind them during a 15-month trial.
• The composite wood-plastic and rubber structures allow water to flow through, creating localized turbulence that encourages suspended mud to settle onto the seabed.

Context

Bangkok's main waterway empties into the Gulf of Thailand, making the Chao Phraya River Delta vulnerable to severe shoreline erosion. Strong surges claim 20 to 60 meters of land annually, and wave energy regularly collapses dikes and inundates aquaculture farms. Hard-engineered structures and bamboo fences have previously proven ineffective, prompting this evaluation of artificial mangrove roots.

Limitations

The study covers only 11 sites in Phra Samut Chedi and Samut Prakan province over 15 months. Results are based on a single study by Butsawan Bidorn, and long-term durability beyond the trial period remains untested. Specific impacts on aquaculture farms and dikes are reported as observed events rather than measured outcomes.

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