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Questions and Answers
Human activities that lead to the degradation of coastal dunes include recreation, industry, and ______.
Human activities that lead to the degradation of coastal dunes include recreation, industry, and ______.
agriculture
Abiotic threats to coastal dunes include construction, mining, and ______.
Abiotic threats to coastal dunes include construction, mining, and ______.
trampling
Biotic factors affecting coastal dunes involve community dynamics like trampling and ______.
Biotic factors affecting coastal dunes involve community dynamics like trampling and ______.
seed dispersal
The concept of restoration is challenging to apply in coastal dunes due to their highly ______ systems.
The concept of restoration is challenging to apply in coastal dunes due to their highly ______ systems.
One of the aims of restoration is to increase the capacity of protection against ______.
One of the aims of restoration is to increase the capacity of protection against ______.
Restoring habitats and natural vegetation falls under the integrity aspect of ______.
Restoring habitats and natural vegetation falls under the integrity aspect of ______.
Sedimentary nourishment is a technique used in coastal dune restoration to aid natural ______.
Sedimentary nourishment is a technique used in coastal dune restoration to aid natural ______.
The main objective of sustainability in restoration is to enhance ______, particularly in recreational areas.
The main objective of sustainability in restoration is to enhance ______, particularly in recreational areas.
The use of sand ______ helps in the morphological reconstruction of dunes.
The use of sand ______ helps in the morphological reconstruction of dunes.
Proper placement of fences can reduce ______ speed and promote accumulation.
Proper placement of fences can reduce ______ speed and promote accumulation.
Vegetation planting on dunes helps to stabilize surface ______ and provide habitat.
Vegetation planting on dunes helps to stabilize surface ______ and provide habitat.
Humid dune slacks represent the wetland component of dune systems, usually where the ______ table reaches the surface.
Humid dune slacks represent the wetland component of dune systems, usually where the ______ table reaches the surface.
One common pitfall is placing fences in areas where they cannot be ______ or vegetated.
One common pitfall is placing fences in areas where they cannot be ______ or vegetated.
The primary intervention in Cadiz, Spain, was the installation of sand collectors and wooden ______.
The primary intervention in Cadiz, Spain, was the installation of sand collectors and wooden ______.
At Alvor dunes, a series of elevated ______ were created to control pedestrian access.
At Alvor dunes, a series of elevated ______ were created to control pedestrian access.
Secondary dune slacks are becoming rare due to general stabilization of coastal dunes and ______ deposition.
Secondary dune slacks are becoming rare due to general stabilization of coastal dunes and ______ deposition.
In Long Beach Island, NJ, the main intervention was the creation of a ______ and dune through nourishment.
In Long Beach Island, NJ, the main intervention was the creation of a ______ and dune through nourishment.
The mnemonic tool 'Please Help Improve Sand With New Strong Placement' aids in remembering the characteristics of sand ______.
The mnemonic tool 'Please Help Improve Sand With New Strong Placement' aids in remembering the characteristics of sand ______.
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Study Notes
Coastal Dune Degradation and Loss
- Human activities leading to dune degradation include:
- Housing and recreation
- Industry and commercial development
- Waste disposal
- Agriculture
- Military activities
- Invasive species
Threats to Coastal Dunes
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Abiotic factors
- Landforms: Construction and mining activities can disrupt dune structures
- Sediment transport: Damming and construction of jetties can alter natural sand movement
- Water quality and quantity: Water extraction can lower groundwater levels, negatively impacting dune vegetation.
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Biotic factors
- Plant community structure: Grazing and invasive species can alter plant composition and distribution
- Community dynamics: Trampling and seed dispersal can affect plant communities and overall dune health
- Ecosystem dynamics: Eutrophication, caused by nutrient enrichment, can lead to algal blooms and negatively impact dune ecosystems.
Dune Restoration
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Definition: Restoration aims to bring a degraded dune ecosystem back to its natural state with respect to its health, integrity, and sustainability.
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Challenges: Coastal dunes are highly heterogeneous making restoration difficult.
- There is no single approach to restoration.
- Different restoration efforts can lead to distinct outcomes.
Dune Restoration Goals
| Heterogeneity | Aim of Restoration | Main Objective |
|---|---|---|
| Very dynamic landform | Health | Increased protection from erosion and overwash |
| Dynamic communities | Integrity | Restoration of habitats (e.g. nesting sites, vegetation) |
| Heterogeneous and diverse | Sustainability | Promote recreational opportunities and tourism |
Types of Dune Interventions
Restoring Foredunes
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Strategies: Interventions like sediment nourishment, dune reconstruction, and fencing are used to enhance foredune development.
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Fencing: Sand fences are used to trap sand and promote dune growth.
- Fence design and location are crucial for successful sand accumulation.
- Key aspects include: porosity, height, inclination, wind speed, and placement.
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Boardwalks and access delimitation:
- Well-designed boardwalks provide access to dune areas while minimizing foot traffic.
- Different types, like elevated wood or ground-level boards, cater to specific needs.
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Vegetation planting:
- Using native species that are easy to propagate and survive in dune environments.
- Planting techniques include covering with sand to avoid air trapping.
Restoring Dune Slacks
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Dune slacks are important wetland areas within dune systems.
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Threats:
- Water abstraction and drainage.
- General dune stabilization can reduce natural slack formation.
- Increased nitrogen deposition.
- Afforestation can lower groundwater levels.
- Under-grazing.
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Interventions:
- Mowing.
- Grazing.
- Rejuvenation (scraping).
- Rewetting and restoration of hydrological systems.
- Creation of new pools.
Dune Restoration Case Studies
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Cadiz, Spain: Nourishment and fencing efforts led to some success, but some areas remain susceptible to erosion.
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Long Beach Island, NJ: Nourishment was used to minimize flooding and coastal storm damage.
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Valdevaqueros dune, Cadiz: Fencing and dune flattening were used to address landward migration.
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Spanjaards dune, Netherlands: A new dune area was built to compensate for the impact of port expansion.
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Hondsbossche dunes, Netherlands: Nourishment was used to address dike erosion.
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Alvor dunes, Portugal: Elevated boardwalks were used to control pedestrian access to the beach.
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