What are the advantages and disadvantages of soft engineering?

There are several advantages of soft engineering compared to hard engineering. Soft engineering makes use of ecological priniciples and practices, by using living structures for construction. This means that it will not harm the wildlife, and rather, protect it. It is cheaper to construct compared to hard engineering, as it makes use of what is already available in the natural world. Moreover, it requires less long-term maintenance costs due to the fact that the living structures used mature and stabilize over time to reduce erosion. It also improves ecological features and provides opportunities for recreational activities like fishing.

On the other hand, some disadvantages of soft engineering as compared to hard engineering is that it restricts development such as housing development. This is because it makes use of living structures that cannot support hard structures above it, unlike hard enginnering. Also, it cannot be used in urbanized areas as, before mentioned, it uses living structures that do not go well with what is in urbanized areas --- concrete.