Dune Management Research Articles

Assessment of Vulnerability and Integrated Management of Coastal Dunes in Veracruz, Mexico

Dune systems are essential to the ecological balance and sediment inputs of coastal environments and they provide numerous environmental services; however, their existence is threatened by natural and human stressors that contribute to their degradation. Future impacts are expected to be greater because of global climate change in association with further rises in sea level. Beaches and dune systems occupy large areas along the coastline of the state of Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico. The aim of this study is to establish the intrinsic vulnerability of nine dune fields in Veracruz to current and future impacts and to assess their integrated management status. These dune–beach systems are more vulnerable to the effects of economic activities and land use change than to those induced by natural forces. Results show that six of these dune systems have medium vulnerability and an ecological conservation policy should be adopted; the other three, with high or very high vulnerability, are candidates for a restoration policy.

Vegetation and ghost crabs in coastal dunes as indicators of putative stressors from tourism

Coastal dunes provide important ecosystem services and are susceptible to human disturbance such as vehicle traffic and human trampling. Notwithstanding, on several Australian beaches dunes serves as camping areas, where camping sites are located on the primary dunes landwards of the foredunes. Because these activities have the potential to impact on the biota of the foredunes directly adjoining the camping zones, sustainable management of dunes for multiple uses requires that putative impacts are identified. Consequently, we quantified: (1) effects of dune camping on the vegetation in the foredunes abutting the camping zones, (2) ghost crab (Ocypode cordimana) abundance, distribution, body size, and body condition as biological indicators of human stressors, and (3) the degree to which habitat attributes are correlated with ghost crab abundance. Two percent of the foredune surface was disturbed by human activity (vehicle tracks, trampling, dog prints, litter). Camping in the primary dunes had some minor effects on the vegetation of the foredunes, but widespread changes in plant assemblages were not detected. Ghost crabs were attracted to camp sites, significantly changing their distribution across the dune field and increasing their body condition near camp sites—presumably a trophic subsidy from food scraps. Except for vegetation height which had a positive influence on crab density, there were no other strong and consistent predictors of ghost crab density either in terms of physical habitat attributes (e.g. dune width and height) or vegetation characteristics (e.g. plant cover, diversity). Because coastal managers must increasingly reconcile multiple uses of the environment with its protection, robust data on the type, extent and magnitude of impacts are critical to formulate efficient management strategies for dunes. Monitoring the efficacy of such strategies requires robust indicators, and we show that ghost crabs may be good candidate species for this.

Atlantic storminess and historical sand drift in Western Europe: implications for future management of coastal dunes

Historical records of sand drift and dune-building along the coastline of Western Europe provide insights into the natural processes of sand dune accretion and both the impacts of, and human responses to, sand incursions. The analysis of documentary records, instrumental data and proxy records over the last 1,000 years indicates that this period, which included the Little Ice Age (AD 1570–1900), featured numerous episodes of sand drift and dune development driven by strong winds associated with Atlantic storms. It is estimated that sand drift affected over a quarter of a million hectares of coastal land in Western Europe. The widespread use of vegetation to stabilise coastal dune systems and prevent sand drift is documented across Europe from AD 1100 and by the start of the 20th century all of the larger coastal dune systems in Portugal, France, Britain and Denmark were comparatively inactive. Given that Atlantic storminess has remained more or less unchanged over the last 200 years, modern dune management strategies which consider dune devegetation, driven by an increasing focus on ‘naturalness’, may give rise to a recurrence of sand drift problems. Predictions of increased storm frequencies by the end of the 21st century, coupled with sea level rise and potential changes in sand supply will present further challenges for the more ‘dynamic’ dune management strategies.

Changing perspectives in coastal dune management

This special issue of the Journal of Coastal Conservation,Planning and Management (JCCPM) includes some of thethirty seven papers delivered at the international coastaldune conference ‘Changing Perspectives in Coastal DuneManagement’ held between 31st March and the 3rd April2008 in Liverpool, UK. The conference was organised bythe UK Sand Dune and Shingle Network based in Liver-pool Hope University, and attracted around 120 delegatesfrom five continents. Keynote speakers were ProfessorNorbert P. Psuty, Rutgers University, United States ofAmerica, Professor Maurice Hoffmann, Ghent University,Belgium and Dr Pat Doody, National Coastal Consultants,United Kingdom.Liverpool was the European Capital of Culture in 2008and has strong coastal associations through its maritimehistory and situation on the Mersey estuary. Most notably,the city is immediately adjacent to the Sefton Coast, aninternationally important dune system and the largest areaof open sand dunes in England. The conference organisersat the UK Sand Dune and Shingle Network have a longassociation with the management of this dune coast, andthe conference field trips made use of this local resource.Thanks are due to the site managers of this coastline forfacilitating the field trips.The conference themes addressed research and manage-ment practice around the following major topics in coastaldune management& People and dunes& Change and dynamics& NaturalnessThe conference themes appreciate dunes as a changingenvironment and that our values and attitudes to dunes alsochange. This creates a dynamic decision-making environ-ment, and raises questions concerning what is required ofcoastal dune management. In many ways these issues andquestions are not new, but the perspectives taken are newas change occurs. The conference sought to explore andinfluence these changing perspectives.Dr. Pat Doody presented a revised ‘Sand Dune Inventoryof Europe’ at the conference, and each delegate received acopy on CD. This contained detailed reports of the sanddune resource for each country. The CD was produced withthe support of Liverpool Hope University and copies areavailable to purchase through the offices of the Coastal andMarine Union (EUCC) based in Leiden, the Netherlands.The ‘Sand Dune Inventory of Europe’ is a growing knowl-edge base, the results of which may be accessed on-line viathe Encora Coastal Portal at http://www.coastalwiki.org/coastalwiki/European_Sand_Dune_Distribution. Without athorough and up to date understanding of the distribution,extent,geomorphologicaltype, vegetation, condition,useandvalue of our coastal dunes it is difficult to make robust andsustainable management decisions. More work is requiredto update and expand the Inventory, and readers are en-couraged to participate in the on-line Wiki-based Inventory.Over historical time it is possible to identify manyapproaches to dune management and some considerablechanges in the perception and value of blowing sand(Rooney and Houston 2009). As the twentieth centuryprogressed considerable effort was given to academicresearch to further our understandings of coastal dunes.Some of the notable works for the British Isles from thisearly period include Steers (1946), Salisbury (1952)andRanwell (1972). At the same time new dune managementpractices were developed across Europe as the human valuesplaced upon coastal dunes changed through, for instance, thedevelopment of the nature conservation movement.

Contrasting ecology of prograding coastal dunes on the northwest coast of Ireland

This paper examines the influence of dune morphological evolution on plant species diversity and composition on the Magheramore dune system, Donegal, north-west Ireland. It aims to demonstrate the need for understanding of local geomorphological factors and their affect on ecological processes for the enhanced conservation management of coastal dunes. Vegetation surveys and cluster analysis of species associations, in combination with GIS analysis focused on two prograding dune sites within the Magheramore system. Contrasting geomorphic evolution over similar timescales has imposed site-specific environmental conditions that have had a direct impact on the range of plant species communities present. Cluster analysis revealed 5 main species community types that defined specific dune habitats, the organisation of which is strongly influenced by geomorphic evolution. This study demonstrates the importance of geomorphic evolution and morphological heterogeneity in habitat and species diversity.

Changes in landscape and vegetation of coastal dunes in northwest Europe: a review

In coastal dunes, landscape changes are a rule, rather than an exception. This paper gives an overview of changes in landscape and vegetation with a focus on the past century. The history of dunes is characterised by phases of sand drift, alternated with geomorphological stability. The historical development of dune woodland during these stable phases has been documented for sites all over Europe. Vegetation reconstructions of historical open dune habitats however is very difficult due to limited preservation of fossil remains. People have drastically altered coastal dune landscapes through centuries of exploitation and more recently development of the coast. Historical land use has generally pushed vegetation back into a semi-natural state. During roughly the past century a tendency of increasing fixation and succession is observed on coastal dunes throughout northwest Europe. Six causes of change are discussed. 1) Changes in land use, mainly abandonment of agricultural practices, have led to the development of late successional stages such as scrub and woodland. 2) Crashing rabbit populations due to myxomatosis in the 1950s caused vigorous grass growth and probably stimulated scrub development. 3) A general tendency of landscape fixation is observed due to both natural and anthropogenic factors. 4) Eutrophication, mainly due to atmospheric nitrogen deposition is clearly linked to grass encroachment on acidic but also on some calcareous dunes. 5) The impact of climate change on vegetation is still unclear but probably lengthening of growing season and maybe enhanced CO2 concentrations have led to an acceleration of succession. 6) A general anthropogenisation of the landscape occurs with rapid spread of non-native species as an important consequence. The reconstruction of a natural reference landscape is considered largely unattainable because of irreversible changes and the long tradition of human impact, in many cases since the development of the dunes. Two contradictory elements need reconciliation. First, the general acceleration of succession and scrub and woodland development in particular is partly caused by a decreased anthropogenic interference in the landscape and deserves more appreciation. Second, most biodiversity values are largely linked to open, early succession dune habitats and are threatened by the same tendency. Apart from internal nature management, in which grazing plays an important part, re-mobilisation of stable, senescent dunes is an important challenge for dune management.

Secular Morphodynamic Trends of the Holocene Dune Ridge on the Curonian Spit (Lithuania/Russia)

Abstract Coastal dune systems are very sensitive geoindicators that reflect rapid geological change and its environmental consequences. Detailed analysis of the long-term trends in the dynamics of the shifting Holocene dunes using satellite images and ground survey data revealed that during the 20th century, erosion, flattening, and sylvanization of the dunes along the entire 33-km length of the still-active Great Curonian dune ridge was taking place at a very rapid rate and scale. Flattening of the shifting dune ridge because of exhaustion of sand supplies, plant succession, and human activity is the main dune management problem, important both for the maintenance of landscape diversity and for the conservation of the traditional heritage features of the Curonian Spit as a World Heritage site. A radical shift in dune-handling paradigm—from forestation to the removal of pine plantations—and the enhancement of dune dynamism is critically needed for the protection of the Great Curonian shifting dune ridge.

Invasion of coastal dunes by the alien shrub Rosa rugosa is associated with roads, tracks and houses

Mapping the distribution of invasive alien plant species is significant for testing ecological hypotheses and for guiding effective management. Little is known about the distribution of invasive plants at landscape scale, and the factors controlling their dispersal and establishment are still poorly understood. This is the case for Rosa rugosa, an invasive shrub with negative effects on biodiversity in dune ecosystems of NW Europe. The aim of the study was to identify the factors which determine the distribution of R. rugosa in coastal dunes. In a large semi-natural dune area of NW Denmark (2364 ha) all patches of the species (1321, 1.3–59.1 m 2) were GPS mapped. Patch distribution was GIS analysed, based on aerial photographs and vegetation maps. The distance of R. rugosa from the most conspicuous landscape elements was compared with randomly placed reference points. The species had invaded 0.35% of the dune landscape, and it was present in all vegetation types and all parts of the study area. Rosa rugosa patches were slightly smaller in grey dunes than in white dunes and brown dunes, and some of the largest patches were found close to villages. The occurrence of the shrub was positively correlated with distance to the coastline, to roads, tracks and houses. We conclude that the distribution of R. rugosa is determined by both natural and anthropogenic factors. It is further discussed how these factors may control dispersal and establishment of the species, and how the results can be used for improved management of coastal dunes.

Limiting factors for seedling emergence and establishment of the invasive non-native Rosa rugosa in a coastal dune system

The relative importance of seed, habitat and microhabitat limitation has rarely been investigated for invasive non-native species, although this is critical for their effective management and for predicting future range expansion. Rosa rugosa is an abundant non-native shrub in coastal habitats of NW Europe; it is common along the Baltic coast but more scarce in exposed dunes of the North Sea. To investigate whether invasion of exposed dunes is limited by seed, habitat and microhabitat limitation, seedling emergence and establishment were examined in a factorial sowing, transplant and disturbance experiment. Twenty plots were randomly placed in each of five dune habitats (white dune, Empetrum dune, grey dune, outer dune heath, inner dune heath), and studied over 2 years. Seedling emergence in control subplots was zero in all habitats, whereas 96% and 98% of the undisturbed and disturbed seeded subplots produced seedlings. Disturbance had a positive effect on emergence and subsequent survival in white dune, outer and inner dune heath. Seedling survival and growth, and growth of transplanted seedlings, were markedly lower in grey dune. These findings indicate that establishment of R. rugosa is seed-limited in coastal dune habitats, and that the species is able to establish in both active and fixed dunes once seeds have arrived. Although differential seedling emergence and growth indicate that habitats differ in their degree of invasion susceptibility by R. rugosa, the positive influence of small-scale disturbance suggests microhabitat limitation in some dune habitats as well. Dune management should aim to reduce seed production and dispersal of R. rugosa in near-natural sites, and anthropogenic changes of habitat dynamics should be prevented.

The termination of the last major phase of aeolian sand movement, coastal dunefields, Denmark

AbstractOptically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of sand samples from stabilized (or inactive) coastal dunes in Denmark provides information on the age of the termination phase of the last major aeolian activity period. A total of 26 sand samples were taken from four different coastal dunefields around the North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat coasts of Denmark. The OSL dates indicate that the last major phase of aeolian activity terminated between ad 1860 and 1905. Most of the dunes examined in this study were active around 1820, during a period documented to have been very stormy. A dune management scheme started around 1792, and this no doubt was a major cause of dunefield stabilization, but an overall decline of storminess, particularly spring and summer storminess, around the end of the 19th century must also have contributed to the increasing inactivity of coastal dunes. The new OSL dates on aeolian sand movement agree well with historical data and data from topographic maps on dune movement. This agreement supports the observation from earlier work that OSL dating of recent aeolian sand movement is accurate over the last few decades to centuries. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Land tenure type as an underrated legal constraint on the conservation management of coastal dunes: examples from Ireland

Legal factors play an underrated but significant role as constraints on conservation management. In this paper, based on observations in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, mode of land tenure is assessed to determine its influence on the conservation management of coastal dunes. The tenure types considered are: private ownership, corporate private ownership, tenancy, secured tenancy, leasing, common (joint) ownership, uncertain ownership, public ownership and its subset military ownership. It is suggested that multiple private ownership is least likely to favour effective conservation management. Public ownership by a statutory conservation authority and corporate private ownership by a conservation‐orientated NGO are regarded as the optimum tenure types for conservation management of coastal dunes.

The importance of habitat productivity, stability and heterogeneity for spider species richness in coastal grey dunes along the North Sea and its implications for conservation

In this contribution, we report on patterns of spider species richness in large complexes of coastal grey dunes of northern France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Since grey dunes are con- sidered a priority in Annex I of the EU Habitat Directive, conservation needs attention. Spider diversity is determined by the amount of nutrients available in grey dune patches. The richness of specific xerotherm species, however, is dependent only on the distance of the patches to the sea. Earlier investigation revealed that the richness of these species depends on the patch size. Since coastal dune management aims to focus on the conservation of dune-specific and xerotherm spe- cies, patch enlargement and grey dune restoration should receive priority attention and not internal grey dune management. Total spider richness and diversity is hence related to the functioning of the grey dune ecosystem. Eolic dynamics act as typical disturbance factors and are negatively related to species richness, as a result of the low but significant covariation with nutrient availability. The intermediate disturbance hypothesis is not applicable for spider diversity in grey dunes, possibly due to the narrow range of investigated environmental variation.

Ecology, management and monitoring of grey dunes in Flanders

Ecology, management and monitoring of grey dunes in Flanders

Ecology, management and monitoring of grey dunes in Flanders

Grey dunes are a priority habitat type of the European Union Habitats Directive and demand special attention for conservation and management. Knowledge of the ecology of coastal grey dunes can contribute to this policy. Dune grassland succession is initiated by fixation and driven by the complex of soil formation (humus accumulation) and vegetation development. Leaching and mobilization of CaCO3. which are important in nutrient dynamics, complicate the picture. At present, grass- and scrub encroachment greatly overrules these fine scaled soil processes and causes substantial loss of regional biodiversity. Belgium has an international responsibility in grey dune conservation because of the limited range of its characteristic vegetation, flora and fauna. As biomass removal seems essential in grassland preservation, grazing is an important management tool. Evaluation of management measures focuses on biodiversity measurements on the levels of landscape, community and species.

La conservation des dunes littorales implique-t-elle leur stabilisation ? L'exemple de la côte atlantique

In Atlantic Europe, coastal dune systems are generally mature. Landform maturity does not, however, mean geomorphological inactivity along the shore zone as well as further inland. Since the beginning of the nineteenth century and even earlier, marram grass and pine planting was aimed to stabilize dunes, therefore protecting human settlements from invasive sand and providing timber crops. Bare or partially vegetated sand still is often perceived in a managerial sense as adverse because it is linked directly to erosion which carries a negative connotation. This perception is false since moving sand is not only normal, but essencial since it contributes to achieve geomorphological and ecological equilibrium. In addition, active dunes display scenic landscapes which are of high patrimonial value. The management of coastal dunes needs to take into account their processes of natural evolution. It should be designed to work with change and have dynamic conservation and not static preservation at its core.

Sand dune management problems and techniques, Spain.

ABSTRACT Extensive Spanish dune areas were totally altered and destroyed in the course of massive tourist urbanization and road construction projects during the 1960's–1970's. Littoral drift interruption by harbour and marinas as well as sand mining for construction and agriculture purposes also contributed to accelerated dune erosion. Furthermore, human trampling, refuse dumping, excessive dune recreational pressure, use of all-terrain vehicles and cropping, are amongst the main causes contributing and accelerating physical and ecological degradation of most Spanish dune systems. Before 1988, Spanish coastal dunes were totally unprotected. The 1988 Spanish Shore Act (“Ley de Costas”) arose with the aim of regulating the coastal activities and preventing littoral destruction. The Spanish Shore Act protects all coastal dunes precludes their destruction by sand mining and any other form of development, . However, this law still does not prevent some of the above negative activities occuring. Furthermore, th...

Programa de Manejo das Dunas das Praias de Osório - RS

An intensive and detailed study developed in a pilot area located in the northern portion of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) coastal plain, more specifically at Atlântida and Mariápolis resorts, Osório, was carried out in order to establish a dune management program. The study contributes to the beach profile preservation of the studied area and can be divided in three stages: a) diagnosis and mapping; b) dune reconstruction and c) activities aiming at controlling of degradation. For the diagnosis and mapping of the pilot area, aerial survey with small format photographs were taken using a 35-mm camera. The photographs were georeferenced and the images processed through a Geographic Information System – GIS. The technique of dune reconstruction involved replenishment of poor sand delivery areas, stabilization through vegetation profile, reformation of dunes with the aid of machines, and control of wind deflated surfaces through structural methods. Protection of remaining dunes consisted of placing straw tracks ahead of the dune system, detour signals conducting to shoreline transversal to northeast wind and control of erosion through drainage ditches and building of a wall support. Strategic measures were taken to encourage the participation of the population and the support of authorities, and classes on environmental education began to be taught at municipal schools. The basic principle in dune management is to maintain a satisfactory vegetative cover on the foredune, to avoid sand evasion to the continent and its consequent lost from the coastal system. Management of coastal dunes involves the application of sound land use principles, organization of recreational activity and rehabilitation of disturbed dunes.

Integrated coastal dune management: checklists

The main objective was to assess dune vulnerability—a reduced ability to adapt to change, which is of serious concern not only in Western Europe but on a world scale. A main root checklist together with two daughter ones were devised in order to achieve this objective. The main root checklist comprised six categories (site and dune morphology, beach condition, surface character of the seaward 200 m of dune, vegetation, anthropogenic impact and protection measures in place) and dunes were classified according to their vulnerability compared to protection measures. The Resilience daughter checklist encompassed dune erosion, sand input, sand retention, degradation by use and dune management. This was compared with risk factors such as obstacles to dune transgression and recreation. The geomorphology, aeolian, vegetation, anthropogenic, marine influences daughter checklist looked at 30 dune systems in the Gulf of Cadiz and assessed dune condition by a dune vulnerability index based on the above conditioning influences. Values for all checklists were expressed as percentages. Over 200 dune sites in Spain, France, Portugal and the UK were analysed by means of these checklists. Results confirmed that regional trends concerned with dune vulnerability could be assessed, although successful differentiation at the end of the dune spectrum (large sand sheets, e.g. Pyla, France and meadow formation, e.g. many of the UK systems) and at the local scale were muted. An innovative aerial digital photographic system was developed and photographs were successfully used to assess dune condition, anthropogenic impact on dune systems, etc., i.e. the checklist parameters and was used to modify checklist procedures in assessing regional dune degradation. Ca 70% of the checklist parameters could be obtained by this means. This also provided a photographic record of the current dune condition. Principal component analysis provided a strong justification for the majority of checklist questions and the approach and relevance of the technique. The enumerated techniques provide valuable tools for dune managers. Rapid assessment of large areas of coastline can be obtained at a low cost and the resulting remote sensed images can provide a permanent record of the condition of the photographed dunes.

Conservation and management of the mediterranean coastal sand dunes in Israel

The aims of this study are to review the current situation of the Israeli Mediterranean coastal sand dunes, to examine the causes for this situation, and to propose options for future conservation and management of the protected dune areas based on ecological, environmental, landscape and recreational demands and interests. The coastal dunes of Israel are characterized by diverse plant communities, with 173 plant species occurring on sand (8.2% of the total flora of Israel) including many endemic species (26% of all endemic species in Israel). Most of the species are annuals. The importance of the coastal strip as a centre of floral and faunal speciation is also manifested in the existing sand-bound animals. However, many species are rare. This is mainly due to the extensive industrial and urban development along the coastal plain and the direct and indirect destruction of the remaining open dune areas by tourism, recreation and sand mining. Only ca. 17% of the Israeli coastal dunes are still of good or reasonable ecological value, while < 5% of this area has been designated as protected area. Management policies differ from place to place and depend on local objectives. These objectives derive mainly from the knowledge and data that exist for each location, and its statutory status. Since 1995 several projects, which aim to develop integrated management tools for nature conservation and recreation uses for all coastal sand dunes in Israel have been conducted. These projects are summarized in the present paper.

Efetividade de Métodos Estruturais na Construção de Dunas Frontais

Frontal dunes are beach natural defenses against the rise of coastal waters and waves during storm surges, promoting a sand storage for beach restoration when erosion problems occurs. The management of coastal areas must include the protection of the existing dunes and the reclaiming of the disturbed ones. The employment of a simple device method in the stabilization of frontal dunes were tested in a pilot area (1 km long of beach line) in Osório county (RS, Brazil). The most effective system employed were simple fences parallel to the coastline and transverse fences to the dominant winds. The material used In the manufacture of these tracks, was dry grass of junco and tiririca plants tied to bamboo's sticks, according D regional workmanship's method. The most favorable year period to the management begins in spring, when strongs winds from NE quadrant increase in frequency and velocity. Meanwhile the more expressive sedimentation rate in the dunes occurs between December and February when the sand supply to the beach is larger. transported through waves of normal incidence and lower energy. This discussed method could be applied in other dune management projects along the Rio Grande do Sul coastline.