| Revision as of 03:13, 12 December 2009 editAudiyon (talk | contribs)10 editsNo edit summary← Previous edit | Revision as of 03:21, 12 December 2009 edit undoAudiyon (talk | contribs)10 editsNo edit summaryNext edit → | ||
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| Sand dunes which already exist on the upper beach but lack ] can be stabilized by ] plants onto the dune. What type of plants used is generally dictated by where on the dune the plants are going to be placed. A coastal dune is comprised of the foredune, which is the angled side of the linear dune which faces the ocean, the broad sand plain which may or may not be present on some coastal dunes, but is the flat expanse on the top of the dune, and the backdune which is the other angled side of the dune which faces away from the ocean. | Sand dunes which already exist on the upper beach but lack ] can be stabilized by ] plants onto the dune. What type of plants used is generally dictated by where on the dune the plants are going to be placed. A coastal dune is comprised of the foredune, which is the angled side of the linear dune which faces the ocean, the broad sand plain which may or may not be present on some coastal dunes, but is the flat expanse on the top of the dune, and the backdune which is the other angled side of the dune which faces away from the ocean. | ||
| ===Foredune |
===Foredune flora=== | ||
| Plants that thrive on the foredune must be tolerant to ], strong winds, and sand burial. Vegetation typically found on the foredune are ], ], ], and ]. | Plants that thrive on the foredune must be tolerant to ], strong winds, and sand burial. Vegetation typically found on the foredune are ], ], ], and ]. | ||
| ===Backdune |
===Backdune flora=== | ||
| Plants which thrive on the broad dune plain and backdune have characteristics which cause the grasses to grow together into dense vegetation termed a "Dune Mat" that firmly holds the sand dune together. Vegetation typical of the broad sand plain and backdune are ], ], ], and ]. Sometimes these species can be invasive to native plant and animal life, however in dunes where no habitat currently exists, they pose no great threat. | Plants which thrive on the broad dune plain and backdune have characteristics which cause the grasses to grow together into dense vegetation termed a "Dune Mat" that firmly holds the sand dune together. Vegetation typical of the broad sand plain and backdune are ], ], ], and ]. Sometimes these species can be invasive to native plant and animal life, however in dunes where no habitat currently exists, they pose no great threat. | ||
| After the ] species mentioned above have taken root and developed fully on the dune, the next stage of stabilization, or "shrub stage" can begin. During this phase, larger shrubs with deeper extending root systems are introduced to the habitat. Some examples are ], ], and ]. The shrub stage is usually the final phase of stabilization and may last for short or long periods of time depending on microclimatic conditions such as distance from the ], availability of ], or salt spray effects<ref>{{cite book|last=Martinez|first=M. L. |coauthors=Psuty, N. P. |year=2004 |title=Coastal Dunes: Ecology and Conservation |publisher=Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg |isbn=3-540-40829-0}}</ref>. | After the ] species mentioned above have taken root and developed fully on the dune, the next stage of stabilization, or "shrub stage" can begin. During this phase, larger shrubs with deeper extending root systems are introduced to the habitat. Some examples are ], ], and ]. The shrub stage is usually the final phase of stabilization and may last for short or long periods of time depending on microclimatic conditions such as distance from the ], availability of ], or salt spray effects<ref>{{cite book|last=Martinez|first=M. L. |coauthors=Psuty, N. P. |year=2004 |title=Coastal Dunes: Ecology and Conservation |publisher=Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg |isbn=3-540-40829-0}}</ref>. | ||
| ==Public and |
==Public and private coastal management== | ||
| Often, long stretches of shoreline are not owned by a single owner, but but are instead divided into segments usually owned by many separate owners. Because of this, it is sometimes difficult to stabilize an entire linear dune which may run the length of the beach due to private unwillingness to cooperate or from extended deliberation when deciding if and how to best stabilize the dune. Vegetation on private lots is chosen at the discretion of the lot owner and thus can be decided based on aesthetic appearance and personal taste rather than on traits that would best characterize the plant for that position. Because of this, dune integrity can be segmented, known as a fragmented or decoupled gradient which creates weak points in the dune that are ineffective against mitigating floods. Fragmented dune gradients are in an environmentally degraded state, however they can provide unique opportunities for nature to grow where it otherwise may not have<ref>{{cite book|last=Nordstrom|first= Karl F. |year=2008 |title=Beach and Dune Restoration |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-85346-0}}</ref>. | Often, long stretches of shoreline are not owned by a single owner, but but are instead divided into segments usually owned by many separate owners. Because of this, it is sometimes difficult to stabilize an entire linear dune which may run the length of the beach due to private unwillingness to cooperate or from extended deliberation when deciding if and how to best stabilize the dune. Vegetation on private lots is chosen at the discretion of the lot owner and thus can be decided based on aesthetic appearance and personal taste rather than on traits that would best characterize the plant for that position. Because of this, dune integrity can be segmented, known as a fragmented or decoupled gradient which creates weak points in the dune that are ineffective against mitigating floods. Fragmented dune gradients are in an environmentally degraded state, however they can provide unique opportunities for nature to grow where it otherwise may not have<ref>{{cite book|last=Nordstrom|first= Karl F. |year=2008 |title=Beach and Dune Restoration |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-85346-0}}</ref>. | ||
| Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
| {{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
| ==See |
==See also== | ||
| *] | *] | ||
| *] | *] | ||
| Line 27: | Line 27: | ||
| *] | *] | ||
| ==External |
==External links== | ||
| * | * | ||
| * | * | ||
Revision as of 03:21, 12 December 2009
Sand Dune Stabilization is a coastal management technique for preventing erosion. Sand dunes may be stabilized through the planting of vegetation. Sand dunes trap sand and beach material washed and blown up, thereby slowing the rate of erosion and creating an effective flood barrier. Footpaths will also have to be introduced to stop trampling. Sand dune stabilization does not disrupt the coastline, creates natural habitats for animals and plants and is not regarded as unattractive. However, for successful dunes to be placed it must be thoroughly researched beforehand and can generally take long periods of time until established.
Vegetation
Sand dunes which already exist on the upper beach but lack vegetation can be stabilized by transplanting plants onto the dune. What type of plants used is generally dictated by where on the dune the plants are going to be placed. A coastal dune is comprised of the foredune, which is the angled side of the linear dune which faces the ocean, the broad sand plain which may or may not be present on some coastal dunes, but is the flat expanse on the top of the dune, and the backdune which is the other angled side of the dune which faces away from the ocean.
Foredune flora
Plants that thrive on the foredune must be tolerant to salt spray, strong winds, and sand burial. Vegetation typically found on the foredune are Ammophila arenaria, Honckenya peploides, Cakile maritima, and Spartina coarctata.
Backdune flora
Plants which thrive on the broad dune plain and backdune have characteristics which cause the grasses to grow together into dense vegetation termed a "Dune Mat" that firmly holds the sand dune together. Vegetation typical of the broad sand plain and backdune are Hudsonia tomentosa, Spartina patens, Iva imbricata, and Eregeron glaucus. Sometimes these species can be invasive to native plant and animal life, however in dunes where no habitat currently exists, they pose no great threat.
After the Herbaceous plant species mentioned above have taken root and developed fully on the dune, the next stage of stabilization, or "shrub stage" can begin. During this phase, larger shrubs with deeper extending root systems are introduced to the habitat. Some examples are Empetrum nigrum, Ilex vomitoria, and Vaccinium ovatum. The shrub stage is usually the final phase of stabilization and may last for short or long periods of time depending on microclimatic conditions such as distance from the shoreline, availability of groundwater, or salt spray effects.
Public and private coastal management
Often, long stretches of shoreline are not owned by a single owner, but but are instead divided into segments usually owned by many separate owners. Because of this, it is sometimes difficult to stabilize an entire linear dune which may run the length of the beach due to private unwillingness to cooperate or from extended deliberation when deciding if and how to best stabilize the dune. Vegetation on private lots is chosen at the discretion of the lot owner and thus can be decided based on aesthetic appearance and personal taste rather than on traits that would best characterize the plant for that position. Because of this, dune integrity can be segmented, known as a fragmented or decoupled gradient which creates weak points in the dune that are ineffective against mitigating floods. Fragmented dune gradients are in an environmentally degraded state, however they can provide unique opportunities for nature to grow where it otherwise may not have.
References
- "A guide to managing coastal erosion in beach/dune systems". Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved December 12 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - Martinez, M. L. (2004). Coastal Dunes: Ecology and Conservation. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. ISBN 3-540-40829-0.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - Nordstrom, Karl F. (2008). Beach and Dune Restoration. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-85346-0.
See also
- Coastal management
- Sand dune ecology
- Coastal erosion
- Coastal geography
- Integrated coastal zone management
- Beach evolution
- Longshore transport
External links
- Sand Dune Stabilization And Reclamation In Southeastern Colorado
- Monitoring sand dune stabilization along the coastal dunes of Ashdod-Nizanim Israel
- Vetiver System for Sand Dune Stabilization A Vietnamese Experience
 | This environment-related article is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it. |