Seawalls help prevent erosion and protect shorelineinhabiting humans from the whims of the ocean, but they also destroy shallowwater habitat that’s crucial for aquatic species like the Pacific Northwest’s endangered chinook salmon.

University of Washington scientist Jeff Cordell is embarking on a 10year research project to fix that, using Seattle’s massive seawall reconstruction project as his laboratory.

The wall is designed to increase habitat for juvenile salmon and other marine life in Elliott Bay. As sea levels rise regionally and internationally, and shoreline “armoring” increases, Cordell’s research could inform future seawall construction around the world.