Methods of Preventing Beach Erosion
Dune conservation and beach erosion are common issues in coastal areas. Wind and waves cause most of the erosion. As coastal areas become more developed, erosion threatens structures built on beaches and dunes. This development also contributes to erosion and accelerates wind and wave erosion due to the destruction of vegetation that secures the dunes. Dunes are important because they help to replenish a beach after a natural occurrence such as a storm. Does this Spark an idea?
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Enhancing Stability of Dunes
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Replanting native vegetation can help to stabilize existing sand dunes and aid in the creation of new ones. It can also help to rebuild them by aiding in the accumulation of sand and sediments. Stability of these dunes can also be enhanced by using plastic or wood sand fencing.
Groins
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These are structures built in pairs perpendicular to a shoreline. They act as barriers and interrupt the movement of sand along a shore. They can be made of rock, steel or wood and can vary in size and height. Though they may be helpful in preserving a shoreline, they can also cause erosion in the adjacent down-drift shore.
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Coir Logs
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Coir logs are made from coconut fibers and are biodegradable. They are put in place along a shoreline to protect native seedlings and to reduce the effect of waves. In turn, these seedlings will grow to help keep the coastline and dunes in place. These are a natural alternative to steel and concrete break walls.
Coalitions
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Coalitions help protect beaches and sand dunes from abuse and overuse by recreational visitors. These coalitions include dune stewards who interact with beachgoers and enforce beach rules and guidelines. They discourage people from driving vehicles on the beach, disturbing wildlife and camping on the dunes. They also collect data about the areas they patrol, such as user visitor patterns and violations data.
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References
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