Sustainable Marine Structures

Hydrodynamic Modelling of Mangrove-Mediated Coastal Flood Protection: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis

Amayrol Zakaria

Zakaria

Khadijah Khalid

Malaysian Institute of Marine Engineering Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Lumut 32200, Malaysia

Noran Nur Wahida Khalili

Malaysian Institute of Marine Engineering Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Lumut 32200, Malaysia

Muhammad Adli Mustapa

Malaysian Institute of Marine Engineering Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Lumut 32200, Malaysia

Ahmad Shakir Mohd Saudi

Malaysia France Institute, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Bandar Baru Bangi 43650, Malaysia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36956/sms.v8i3.3337

Received: 20 May 2026; Published: 18 August 2026

Abstract

Mangroves are increasingly recognised as important nature-based systems for reducing coastal flood risk, yet research on their hydrodynamic performance remains dispersed across coastal engineering, eco-hydrology, restoration science, and environmental management. This study synthesises recent advances in mangrove-mediated coastal protection through a systematic review and bibliometric analysis of literature retrieved from the Scopus database. The search identified 404 publications published between 2021 and 2026, of which 185 articles met the inclusion criteria after screening and eligibility assessment. Publication output increased from 23 papers in 2021 to 58 papers in 2025, reflecting growing scientific interest in nature-based coastal adaptation and resilience. Five major research themes were identified: wave attenuation and hydrodynamic resistance, flood-depth reduction and storm-surge moderation, vegetation representation in numerical models, restoration and hybrid coastal protection strategies, and climate-related stressors affecting long-term ecosystem performance. The reviewed studies consistently demonstrated that mangrove ecosystems reduce wave energy, current velocity, and flood impacts, although protection effectiveness varies according to forest width, vegetation density, species composition, hydrodynamic conditions, and coastal morphology. Recent advances in LiDAR, remote sensing, terrestrial laser scanning, and coupled hydro-morphodynamic modelling have improved representation of vegetation–flow interactions within numerical simulations. Despite these developments, important challenges remain regarding vegetation flexibility, damage thresholds under extreme events, model validation, uncertainty assessment, and transferability across different coastal settings. The findings highlight the importance of viewing mangroves as dynamic coastal protection systems shaped by interacting ecological, geomorphological, and hydrodynamic processes. Future research should prioritise long-term monitoring, uncertainty analysis, and hybrid protection strategies that integrate ecosystem-based and engineered coastal infrastructure.

Keywords: Mangroves, Coastal Flooding, Hydrodynamic Modelling, Wave Attenuation, Nature-Based Solutions, Coastal Resilience, Bibliometric Analysis, Restoration

References