Balancing recreation and environmental system in a ‘natural area’, Perdido Key, Florida, USA

Abstract

Long term erosion of Perdido Key is the product of a general negative sediment budget exacerbated by the dredging of a navigation channel at the updrift margin of the Key. A positive sediment budget on Perdido, in the area managed as a natural region, may be attained as a consequence of a massive dredging project to widen and deepen the channel. The fate of the abundant sediment and the effects of beach fill were investigated through a pilot beach nourishment project on the Key (c. 20% of the total project volume). Changes included a total alteration of the pre-existing dynamics of the island and its characteristics. Of especial importance was the tremendous accumulation of sand on the free sand beach which is causing the primary management concern to shift from a focus on dune protection to the preservation of the recreational qualities of the beach.