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There are many factors controlling the aeolian sand transport rate on the beach and thus, variation in rates can impact foredune development. This study analyses coastline orientation as one such factor. The research was conducted at two sites on the Łeba Barrier, south Baltic Sea coast, Poland, located 4.2 km apart and which differed in coastline orientation by 20°. Based on wind data the potential aeolian sand transport rate for the period 2006–2017 was calculated. It appeared that taking into account the coastline orientation, the landward sand transport strongly exceeded the seaward and alongshore transport at one site, whereas the other site was dominated by alongshore sand transport. Topographic surveys carried out every 6 months showed that net sand deposition within the foredune at the coast dominated by landward transport was two and a half times greater than at the other site and resulted in significant dune growth.

Barchan dunes do not often coexist with grasslands. However, in Gonghe Basin, north‐eastern part in Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau (QTP), China, many barchan dunes are distributed on the grassland at high altitude. Identifying celerity and morphodynamics of barchan dunes and exploring the interaction between barchans and grassland landscape can help us better understand aeolian system sand mitigate damages. In this work, we tracked dune celerity and observed three‐dimensional changes of symmetrical and asymmetrical barchan dunes in Ertala based on high‐resolution UAV‐SfM reconstruction in short‐term monitoring and discussed the factors influencing dune celerity and deformation at high altitude. The results revealed that the barchan dunes are highly mobile with an average celerity of 0.85 m/M for the whole study area. Based on observations of dune morphology and dynamics, we found the following: (1) The dune deformation degree in a short time is not large but is widespread, especially in the elongated arm of asymmetric dune. The deformation of symmetric dune is symmetrical, whereas that of dune with extended horn is asymmetrical; (2) the sand supply, vegetation and airflow at low air density all influence the celerity and deformation degree in the development of barchan dunes; (3) the asymmetric airflow and sediment supply are important cause of dune asymmetry. The above results help us understand the deformation of barchan dune from the three‐dimensional, especially the difference reflected by the symmetry of barchan dune at high altitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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AbstractThe essence of stories of human–environment interactions can be preserved in oral contexts for millennia, creating novel opportunities for humanizing the past. This study examines stories (knowledge-rich narratives) about the ancestral being Ngurunderi, told by Ngarrindjeri peoples of South Australia. Three elements of the Ngurunderi narrative are considered. The first recalls his journey along a 170-km long coastal barrier (Younghusband Peninsula) when this was continuous. The second discusses Ngurunderi’s encounters with what are now islands off the Fleurieu Peninsula, some of which he created, interpreted as memories of when sea level was lower and “islands” were contiguous with the mainland. The third refers to the crossing of a land connection between modern Kangaroo Island and the Fleurieu Peninsula, later submerged to form Backstairs Passage. Using paleogeographic data, the most recent times at which each narrative element could have taken place and observed by people are estimated. This research suggests that: (1) stories about Younghusband Peninsula may be >6700 years cal BP; (2) islands off the Fleurieu Peninsula were created 6800–10,400 cal BP; and (3) submergence of Backstairs Passage occurred 11,000–10,100 cal BP. Narratives are linked to the period of early Holocene sea-level rise, the rapid 8200-cal BP sea-level rise event, and stabilization of sea level 7000–6000 cal BP. These narratives humanize the past and provide information that can be interpreted as both observed coastal and seascape changes as well as past human responses to rising sea level that can inform our future encounters with coastal-landscape change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Cruising" is a concept which designates a practice of social interaction that consists of anonymous sexual encounters, mostly among homosexuals, in open and/or closed public spaces. Coastal dunes and beaches are examples of open public spaces where these sexual practices are widely carried out, to the extent that the so-called "Four S's" (Sand, Sun, Sea and Sex) have even been defined in the literature. Abundant studies have addressed the topic of relationships between tourism and sex, but few have analyzed the consequences of these practices on the natural environment, especially when the spaces where these activities take place are protected areas. In this work, the spatial distribution and the environmental impacts of cruising in a protected coastal dune system are characterized and assessed. There is no intention to criticize the actions of some of the LGBTI community. The sex spots (places for sexual encounters) were located and inventoried by fieldwork. The dimensions or internal distribution, as well as the sexual use, geographical position, vegetation cover and attributes, and environmental impacts or lack of management actions were examined and collated in a geographic information system (GIS). The results show that the distribution of the 298 identified sex spots, which occupy an area of 5763.85 m2, is related to the distance to authorized paths in the protected area, to the presence of bushy and dense vegetation, and to stabilized aeolian landforms or ones formed by vegetation (nebkhas). The bigger the sex spot, the higher the number of people who made use of it, the greater the likelihood of it being a low-lying area covered by vegetation, and the larger the amount of waste. The activities developed in these sex spots impact directly on the aeolian landforms and on eight native plant species, three of which are endemic species. [Display omitted] • This research analyzes "cruising" activity in a protected coastal dunefield. • The location and environmental impacts are characterized and assessed. • Authorized paths and entrances are related to the 298 sex spots found. • Sex spots are located in places with presence of bushy, dense vegetation and nebkhas. • Sex spots impact on the aeolian landforms and 8 native plant species (3 endemic). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]