Cuspate forelands, also known as
cuspate barriers or
nesses in
Britain, are geographical features found on coastlines and lakeshores that are created primarily by
longshore drift. Formed by accretion and
progradation of sand and shingle, they extend outwards from the shoreline in a triangular shape. Some cuspate forelands may be stabilised by vegetation, while others may migrate down the shoreline. Because some cuspate forelands provide an important habitat for many flora and fauna, effective management is required to reduce the impacts from both human activities and physical factors such as
climate change and sea level rise.