| Revision as of 15:27, 23 September 2010 editLfstevens (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users68,380 edits →Public and private coastal management: =>Coastal management, copy-edits, public management← Previous edit | Revision as of 15:37, 8 December 2010 edit undoLfstevens (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users68,380 editsm clean up using AWBNext edit → | ||
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| Stabilizing dunes involves multiple actions. Planting ] reduces the impact of wind and water. Fences catch sand and other material. ]s protect dunes from damage from foot traffic.<ref>{{ | Stabilizing dunes involves multiple actions. Planting ] reduces the impact of wind and water. Fences catch sand and other material. ]s protect dunes from damage from foot traffic.<ref>{{ | ||
| cite web |url=http://www.snh.org.uk/publications/on-line/heritagemanagement/erosion/appendix_1.2.shtml |title=A guide to managing coastal erosion in beach/dune systems |publisher=] |accessdate=December 12 2009}}</ref> | cite web |url=http://www.snh.org.uk/publications/on-line/heritagemanagement/erosion/appendix_1.2.shtml |title=A guide to managing coastal erosion in beach/dune systems |publisher=] |accessdate=December 12, 2009}}</ref> | ||
| ==Vegetation== | ==Vegetation== | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| The location on the dune limits the types of plant that can thrive there. Beach dunes consist of the ''foredune'', the angled side which faces the ocean, the ''sand plain'' at the top of the dune, which may or may not be present, and the ''backdune'', the angled side that faces away from the ocean. | The location on the dune limits the types of plant that can thrive there. Beach dunes consist of the ''foredune'', the angled side which faces the ocean, the ''sand plain'' at the top of the dune, which may or may not be present, and the ''backdune'', the angled side that faces away from the ocean. | ||
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| ===Shrub stage=== | ===Shrub stage=== | ||
| The above are ]s. After they have rooted and developed fully, a second stage, the "] stage", can begin. During this phase, larger plants with deeper root systems can be planted. Examples are ], ], and ]. The shrub stage is usually the final phase 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.<!--why would it not continue?--><ref name=martinez>{{ | The above ] are ]s. After they have rooted and developed fully, a second stage, the "] stage", can begin. During this phase, larger plants with deeper root systems can be planted. Examples are ], ], and ]. The shrub stage is usually the final phase 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.<!--why would it not continue?-->.<ref name=martinez>{{ | ||
| 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> |
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> | ||
| ==Coastal management== | ==Coastal management== | ||
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| Publicly owned beaches, found in U.S. states such as California and Hawaii and in other jurisdictions, present the opportunity to systematically manage—or mismanage—beaches and their accompanying dunes.<ref name=nordstrom/> | Publicly owned beaches, found in U.S. states such as California and Hawaii and in other jurisdictions, present the opportunity to systematically manage—or mismanage—beaches and their accompanying dunes.<ref name=nordstrom/> | ||
| ⚫ | ==References== | ||
| ⚫ | {{reflist}} | ||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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| *] | *] | ||
| *] | *] | ||
| ⚫ | ==References== | ||
| ⚫ | {{reflist|2}} | ||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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| * | * | ||
| {{environment-stub}} | |||
| {{coastal management}} | {{coastal management}} | ||
Revision as of 15:37, 8 December 2010
Sand dunes are common features of shoreline and desert environments. Dunes provide habitat for highly specialized plants and animals, including rare and endangered species. They can protect beaches from erosion and recruit sand to eroded beaches. Dunes are threatened by human activity, both intentional and unintentional. Countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Netherlands, operate significant dune protection programs.
Stabilizing dunes involves multiple actions. Planting vegetation reduces the impact of wind and water. Fences catch sand and other material. Footpaths protect dunes from damage from foot traffic.
Vegetation
The location on the dune limits the types of plant that can thrive there. Beach dunes consist of the foredune, the angled side which faces the ocean, the sand plain at the top of the dune, which may or may not be present, and the backdune, the angled side that faces away from the ocean.
Foredune flora
Plants that thrive on the foredune must be tolerant to salt spray, strong winds, and burial by blowing/accumulating sand. Typical vegetation includes Ammophila arenaria, Honckenya peploides, Cakile maritima, and Spartina coarctata.
Backdune flora
Plants which thrive on the broad dune plain and backdune grow together into dense patches termed dune mats that hold the dune together. Vegetation typical of the plain and backdune include Hudsonia tomentosa, Spartina patens, Iva imbricata, and Eregeron glaucus. Introduced species can outcompete native plants and disrupt animal life, making them formally "invasive species".
Shrub stage
The above species are herbaceous plants. After they have rooted and developed fully, a second stage, the "shrub stage", can begin. During this phase, larger plants with deeper root systems can be planted. Examples are Empetrum nigrum, Ilex vomitoria, and Vaccinium ovatum. The shrub stage is usually the final phase 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..
Coastal management
A single beach may be divided into segments with different owners. Gaining agreement among all owners complicates the process of stabilizing the dunes. Without agreement, some parts of the dune may go unplanted, while others host visually appealing plants that do little to stabilize the dune. Inconsistent vegetation, known as a fragmented or decoupled gradient, can create weak points in the dune that limit its effectiveness against floods and even its continued existence.
Publicly owned beaches, found in U.S. states such as California and Hawaii and in other jurisdictions, present the opportunity to systematically manage—or mismanage—beaches and their accompanying dunes.
See also
- Coastal management
- Sand dune ecology
- Coastal erosion
- Coastal geography
- Integrated coastal zone management
- Beach evolution
- Longshore transport
References
- "A guide to managing coastal erosion in beach/dune systems". Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved December 12, 2009.
- ^ 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.
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
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| Management |  | |
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| Soft engineering | ||
| Related topics | ||