This paper examines the recreational use values associated with a coastal walking trail under threat from increased episodes of storm surges and coastal erosion, and the cost of alternative grey and nature based infrastructure options that could protect it. These options involve restoring an oyster reef bar that would act as a natural breakwater versus an impermeable revetment. The results of an on-site survey of users of the amenity and a negative binomial travel cost model demonstrate that the coastal trail has considerable recreational use value to local communities. In terms of a cost benefit analysis it was found that both protection options resulted in a positive net benefit over a 20 year time horizon but the nature based solution had a benefit cost ratio multiple times larger than the grey infrastructure alternative. The conclusions of the analysis remain valid under sensitivity analysis. The results suggest a compelling case for embedding nature based solutions in climate adaption and flood management planning for low lying coastal areas where recreational resources are under threat as it can be not only more cost effective but may also offer other ecosystem benefits to coastal communities.

本文研究了与受到风暴潮和海岸侵蚀增加威胁的沿海步行道相关的娱乐使用价值，以及可以保护它的替代灰色和基于自然的基础设施选择的成本。这些选择包括修复一个作为天然防波堤而不是不透水护岸的牡蛎礁吧。对便利设施用户的现场调查结果和负二项式旅行成本模型表明，沿海步道对当地社区具有相当大的娱乐使用价值。在成本效益分析方面，发现这两种保护方案在 20 年的时间范围内都产生了正的净效益，但基于自然的解决方案的效益成本比是灰色基础设施替代方案的数倍。分析结论在敏感性分析下仍然有效。结果表明，将基于自然的解决方案嵌入到休闲资源受到威胁的低洼沿海地区的气候适应和洪水管理规划中是一个令人信服的案例，因为它不仅可以更具成本效益，而且还可以为沿海社区提供其他生态系统效益。