Dykes and aboiteaux have historically been used in estuaries around the world to convert low lying parcels of tidal wetlands to highly productive agricultural dykelands.  However, in many areas, these dykes now increasing also protect valuable transportation and municipal infrastructure, residential or commercial development and sites of valuable cultural heritage.  With rising sea levels and increased frequency of storm surges, existing dykelands are not always adequately protected given their age, dimensions, and lack of foreshore tidal wetlands.  Long term resilience of dykeland communities requires a reimagining of what coastal protection looks like.   Globally, tidal wetlands are being increasingly recognized as ecosystem engineers and a foundation for nature-based climate change adaptation efforts. 

This presentation draws upon over two decades of experience in the application of managed dyke realignment and tidal wetland restoration in the Bay of Fundy, Canada. It presents long term monitoring and research on restoration trajectories and ecosystem engineering capabilities of tidal wetlands to reduce flood and erosion risk while providing valuable additional co-benefits of habitat creation, carbon sequestration and wave energy dissipation.  Opportunities and constraints for the application of these more nature-based adaptation options are provided.