Strandssoner

Strandssoner are subdivisions of the coastal zone defined along a shoreline, distinguished by the dominant processes and landforms that shape them. The term is used in Swedish geography and coastal planning to describe the nearshore environment where wave action, tides, and sediment transport interact with landforms such as beaches, dunes, bluffs, and wetlands. In practice, strandssoner may include zones such as the foreshore, backshore, dune fields, and tidal flats, with boundaries that vary by location and management needs.

Their boundaries and character are determined by hydrodynamic energy, sediment supply, sea-level change, and human activity. Storms, seasonal cycles, and coastal engineering measures can shift the extent and properties of the zones by eroding, transporting, or depositing material. Strandssoner function as buffers for inland areas, influence flood and erosion risk, and provide habitats for coastal species.

For planning and environmental assessment, strandssoner help delineate where different uses and protections apply. They are monitored through shoreline surveys, aerial or satellite imagery, and sediment-budget analyses, reflecting the interaction of physical processes and ecological values along the coast.

See also: littoral zone; coastal zone management; beach; dune ecosystem.