Final answer:
An artificial structure designed to protect coastlines from ocean waves is called a breakwater. These structures play a crucial role in preventing coastal erosion and property damage, acting as part of broader coastal adaptation strategies.
Step-by-step explanation:
An artificial structure constructed roughly parallel to shore and designed to protect a coastal region from the force of ocean waves is known as a breakwater.
Such structures are vital in coastal engineering and play an essential role in mitigating erosion and land collapse caused by the wave energy. Breakwaters can be part of adaptation strategies for cities with low elevations near oceans, where they may use them in combination with seawalls, levees, and the conservation of wetlands to protect against storm surges and flooding.
These man-made structures ensure that the force of the waves is reduced before reaching the beach, thereby limiting the effects of overwash. This helps preserve the beach's foreshore, backshore, and nearby ecosystems such as bays, lagoons, and wetlands. The preservation of these areas is crucial as they serve as natural barriers themselves and are habitats for diverse marine life.