Biography: Assistant Professor Dr. Butsawan Bidorn is a faculty member in the Department of Water Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. Her research focuses on coastal and estuarine engineering, sediment transport processes, shoreline change, coastal observation techniques, and nature-based solutions for coastal protection and mangrove rehabilitation. She received her Ph.D. in Geology from Florida State University, USA, and has led and collaborated on numerous national and international research projects related to coastal erosion, sediment dynamics, climate change adaptation, and sustainable coastal management in Thailand and Southeast Asia. Dr. Bidorn currently serves as the Head of the Center of Excellence on Interdisciplinary Research at Chulalongkorn University and as a Special Expert in Coastal Engineering for the Council of Engineers Thailand. She is also an active reviewer and guest editor for several international journals, including Science of the Total Environment, Ocean & Coastal Management, Environmental Research, and Environmental and Sustainability Indicators. Her recent work emphasizes interdisciplinary and community-engaged approaches to coastal resilience, including the development of hybrid nature-based solutions such as Artificial Mangrove Roots for shoreline stabilization and ecosystem restoration.
Abstract: Climate change, sea-level rise, and increasing coastal hazards are placing unprecedented pressure on vulnerable coastlines worldwide. Conventional hard-engineering approaches have provided protection in many locations but often lead to unintended environmental and geomorphological consequences. As a result, nature-based and hybrid solutions have emerged as promising alternatives for enhancing coastal resilience while supporting ecosystem restoration and sustainable development.
This keynote presents recent research and field experiences from the Gulf of Thailand, focusing on the application of nature-based and hybrid coastal protection measures, including mangrove rehabilitation, bamboo fences, nearshore breakwaters, and innovative Artificial Mangrove Root (AMR) systems. Using long-term shoreline analysis, UAV-LiDAR monitoring, field observations, and stakeholder engagement, the presentation examines the effectiveness of these approaches in promoting sediment accretion, reducing erosion, facilitating mangrove recolonization, and improving coastal resilience under changing environmental conditions.
The keynote will highlight both successful and unsuccessful case studies, emphasizing the importance of site-specific design, adaptive management, and integration of engineering and ecological principles. Lessons learned from Thailand's coastal restoration initiatives will be discussed in the broader context of climate change adaptation, sustainable coastal management, and the development of resilient coastal communities. The findings provide practical insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers seeking sustainable solutions to coastal challenges in tropical and deltaic environments worldwide.