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Non-native plants can affect communities through direct competition, and by providing refuge to seed predators, creating apparent competition with native plants. Ammophila arenaria (European beachgrass) has been introduced to coastal dune habitats throughout the western United States, where it forms dense monocultures, stabilizes dunes, and alters abiotic and biotic conditions. The dominance of European beachgrass is linked to declines of Lupinus tidestromii (Tidestrom's lupine), an herb endemic to coastal dune communities in central and northern California. Peromyscus sonoriensis (western deer mice), a native seed predator, use beachgrass as refuge from predators. Tidestrom's lupine near European beach-grass stands experience greater predation pressure from deer mice. At Point Reyes National Seashore, California, USA (PRNS), mechanical removal, manual pulling, and herbicide treatment have been used to reduce the density of European beachgrass near Tidestrom's lupine populations. We trapped deer mice at five sites in PRNS that experienced different management regimes and used spatially-explicit capture-recapture models to estimate deer mouse density as a function of site and habitat treatment. We found that deer mouse density was lowest in areas where European beachgrass was mechanically removed and in herbicide-treated foredunes, and highest in areas highly invaded by European beachgrass and Carpobrotus spp. (iceplant). Deer mouse density increased from 2021 to 2022 at every site except one that underwent extensive mechanical removal of European beachgrass from 2010–2011. This study shows enduring effects of European beachgrass removal on the density of a native seed predator and highlights the importance of habitat management for conservation of Tidestrom's lupine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efforts to control the spread of invasive alien species (IAS) in coastal dunes are essential to protect biodiversity and maintain the integrity of the ecosystem. However, the timing and extent of these control measures often do not consider their potential impact on dune morphodynamics. This study investigated how IAS control measures can affect sand dune mobility. Research involved monitoring short-term morphological and vegetation changes using close-range remote sensing along with historical wind data. Findings revealed that changes in vegetation cover significantly impacted dune system evolution, notably increasing sand mobility when IAS vegetation was removed. Considering the seasonal wind regime, dominated by offshore winds in the summer, removing vegetation during this period can promote seaward sediment transport, potentially resulting in sediment loss to the beach. These findings highlight the importance of understanding sediment mobility patterns when planning vegetation control actions within dune restoration strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monsoonal storms cause coastal erosion of worldwide sandy beaches, including coasts in Malaysia. Although hard engineering structures are effective in mitigating erosion, those constructions can create several environmental issues such as down-drift erosion. The Effective Sand Fence (also known as E-Fence) is considered one of the sustainable alternative structures to protect beach erosion. Therefore, the objective of the current study is to identify the effectiveness of E-Fence for dune restoration. In this study, we measured beach profile survey, grain size distribution, and wind speed. In addition, XBeach simulation was used to determine sediment accumulation under the E-Fence protection. Results of the beach profile survey (i.e., slope and dune volume) indicate dune restoration in protected areas of the E-Fence. Grain size distribution and wind speed suggest the decreasing of wind velocities from the swash zone to the backshore. Accordingly, the E-Fence acts as a barrier, and the reduction of energy leads to accumulate sediments by passing through gaps in the structure. The E-Fence is thus capable of sustaining against wave attack and can maintain stable coastal ecosystems. Consequently, this coastal protection structure assists in developing cheaper coastal erosion mitigation strategies in Malaysia and elsewhere.

The California Dune Science Network (Network) is a collaborative effort to expand understanding of coastal dunes and their role in building a resilient, transitional, and adaptive coast for future generations. In an effort to foster knowledge-sharing across these sites and disseminate information and lessons learned, the Network hosted a virtual Coastal Dunes for Resilience Workshop on December 8th and 9th, 2021. The workshop featured recent dune research, information about nature-based dune and resilience projects, and collaborative learning opportunities atCalifornia's pilot project and natural dune sites. It also engaged diverse perspectives on coastal resource stewardship, public access, and culturally inclusive climate adaptation approaches and how these play a role in the success of coastal dune resilience efforts.

Using glyphosate is easier than manually controlling the invasive plant Carpobrotus in dune ecosystems. However, before it is used its effect on native species in this ecosystem needs to be determined. This study reports the effects in the laboratory of different concentrations of glyphosate (1.0, 0.5, 0.3, 0.1, 0.05, 0.01, and 0.005 g/m2 ) on germination and seedling emergence of four species of Mediterranean dune plants, Lotus creticus, Medicago marina, Ononis ramosissima and Ammophila arenaria, used in the restoration of this natural ecosystem. Germination was completely inhibited when glyphosate was applied at 0.5, and 1.0 g/m². The recommended dose (0.3 g/m²) also inhibited the germination of L. creticus and M. marina. The percentage germination of O. ramosissima and A. arenaria was around 40% and 30% respectively when a dose of glyphosate of 0.1 g/m² was used, whereas for seeds of L. creticus and M. marina it was lower than 5%. The T50 at germination of seed incubated with glyphosate increased in all species independently of the dose of glyphosate. Seedling emergence from seeds previously germinated in the presence of glyphosate was only recorded for O. ramosissima and A. arenaria. The results indicate that seeds of O. ramosissima are more tolerant of glyphosate, followed by those of A. arenaria and those of L. creticus and M. marina are the most sensitive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In coastal California dune ecosystems protect coastal cities from damaging storms and provide habitat for native wildlife. Despite the economic and ecological importance of coastal dunes, habitat loss has continued and is predicted to accelerate with a changing climate. To combat the effects of climate change and ensure that coastal dunes will persist into the future, they need to be prioritized for conservation and restoration. However, for restoration to be successful, endemic plants, which are plant with specialized habitat requirements, need to be prioritized because they make up a significant portion of the biodiversity in California coastal dunes. Because endemic plants are rare and there is limited stock of plants available for transplant, we need to be more aggressive in using pilot studies. These can be used to evaluate the biotic and abiotic conditions that maximize growth and reproduction and to help guide effective reintroduction. To evaluate how exploratory pilot studies can enhance the restoration of rare and endemic plant species, we conducted a study restoring Lupinus nipomensis, a United States federally endangered species, on coastal dunes in San Luis Obispo County, California. We found that L. nipomensis had the highest seed production in plots that had a steep, north facing slope and were protected from herbivores. Our results suggest that restoration efforts should be focused on areas with these characteristics to maximize restoration success. Our pilot reintroduction of L. nipomensis highlights the importance of using pilot experiments to enhance reintroduction success and to quicken the recovery of coastal dune ecosystems.

Jóia Santos, C. and Ferreira, J.C., 2024. Guardians of the sand: A comprehensive vulnerability assessment of coastal dune ecosystems through multi-criteria checklists. In: Phillips, M.R.; Al-Naemi, S., and Duarte, C.M. (eds.), Coastlines under Global Change: Proceedings from the International Coastal Symposium (ICS) 2024 (Doha, Qatar). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 113, pp. 427-431. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. Dunes are valuable, yet vulnerable, ecosystems which provide coastal protection by absorbing wave energy and shielding communities from flooding. This study assesses dune ecosystem vulnerability along the Portuguese coast, where, by using a multi-criteria vulnerability assessment checklist, South Fonte da Telha Beach foredunes were evaluated twice, revealing high vulnerability: erosion scored 92,8% amid severe winter weather, while artificial nourishment reached 100%. Subsequent assessments, during autumn, highlighted the same indices, yet fixation of sand by vegetation (75%) and the spatial planning of the dune system (75%) were also raised as primary concerns. Degradation, attributed to erosive tendencies and human impact, impedes regeneration. Proposed interventions include native flora restoration, elevated pathways, traffic control, and community engagements sessions, aiming for enhanced coastal resilience and community protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Coastal areas constitute one of the most difficult domains to manage, due to the several human activities and natural processes concentrated in it. The case of the coastal dunes is special, since they are so fragile and any intervention on them can cause alterations in the landforms and dynamics. This work assesses the level and role of management and the morphological status of coastal dunes on the Catalan and Valencian shorelines. To that end, ten beach-dune systems from Catalan and Valencian shorelines have been studied to guess how management actions determine the morphological status of them. A set of variables, comprising management actions and morphological status, have been selected and analyzed through a Hierarchical Clustering on Principal Components (HCPC). Results show that the beach-dune systems can be gathered in 2 main groups: those where sustainable management measures were not applied and present an advanced erosive state, and the ones where sustainable management measures were applied and present a good state of conservation. The good state of conservation is related to restoring dunes applying nature-based solutions, whereas degraded morphologies appear when artificial management actions have been carried out.

Glyphosate application avoids some problems associated with manually controlling Carpobrotus. However, before it can be extended, we must understand whether residual glyphosate affects the restoration of natural vegetation by sowing or planting. Thus, we sprayed glyphosate on plots with 100% Carpobrotus coverage at 10 times the maximum recommended dose (4 g/m2) and directly on sand at 0.3 and 4 g/m2. Sand, sifted sand without Carpobrotus litter and sand with Carpobrotus litter were subsequently collected 15, 30, and 60 days after applications, and were used as substrates to evaluate seedling emergence of four native dune species sown in trays. We also assessed the development of two species when grown in pots. Seedling emergence of M. marina, L. creticus and O. ramosissima was not affected in sand without Carpobrotus litter; A. arenaria emergence was reduced by 35%. Seedling emergence of four dune species was inhibited when glyphosate had been directly sprayed on sand. Effect of dose and time after spraying was observed. The presence of Carpobrotus litter reduced the emergence of L. creticus, O. ramosissima and A. arenaria, and inhibition seemed be caused by the allelopathic properties of the Carpobrotus litter. No significant effects of glyphosate spraying were observed in growth tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At a global scale, biological invasions represent one of the most important threats to biodiversity conservation. The Carpobrotus (Aizoaceae) genus, which is native to South Africa, has been introduced into five different continents and is particularly invasive in many coastal habitats. The application of glyphosate avoids some problems associated with manually controlling Carpobrotus over large spatial scales. However, before this practice can be extended and its impact minimized, its effectiveness under different application conditions must be assessed first. Thus, glyphosate was sprayed at different concentrations (0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1, and 0.05 g/m²) on experimental plots with 100% Carpobrotus coverage to determine the minimum effective dose. Tarping was also evaluated as an alternative method for Carpobrotus management over reduced areas. Thus, four different weed-control fabric types were tested: black anti-weed fabric, sewn felt, black G-300 polyethylene, and Fijavert coconut-anti-weed matting on experimental plots with 100% Carpobrotus coverage. The obtained results showed that the minimum effective dose of glyphosate which prevents Carpobrotus regrowth in dune ecosystems was 0.4 g/m². It was also shown that at least three months of tarping were required under winter conditions to produce complete Carpobrotus plant wilting and thus, prevent their regrowth. No significant effect on Carpobrotus growth was observed in terms of the fabric type used for the tarping tests. The presence of native species seedlings in the experimental plots after the death of the Carpobrotus plants following the application of herbicides or tarping was also monitored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The invasive ecosystem engineer Ammophila arenaria, native to Europe, was first introduced to California (USA) in 1896. More than a century later, it has come to dominate coastal foredune vegetation on the west coast of North America to the near exclusion of native species. A. arenaria builds a narrow, steep, peaked, and densely vegetated foredune, in contrast to the broad, more sparsely vegetated foredunes built by the native Elymus mollis. As such, it has modified dune processes by fixing the foredune and disrupting exchange of sediment between the beach, foredune, and dunefield. In the 1930s the congener A. breviligulata, native to the east coast and Great Lakes USA, was first introduced to Oregon, and has been displacing A. arenaria in southern Washington. Ammophila spp. have drastically reduced biodiversity, outcompeting native plant species, and displacing both invertebrate and vertebrate species. Restoration of west coast dunes through the removal of Ammophila began in the 1990s. Methods usually consist of one or a combination of manual digging, burning/herbicides, or excavation with heavy equipment. There are benefits and disadvantages to each method. Manual removal has proven most effective at restoring foredune form and process but is expensive. Excavation and herbicides may result in the loss of foredune morphology. Managers must articulate goals carefully before selecting restoration methods.

Climate change will greatly impact infrastructure and natural resources in low-lying coastal zones. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) encompasses 57,000 hectares on a barrier island that is at high risk of erosion and flooding resulting from natural processes and climate change. In 2010 and 2013/2014, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) implemented an adaptive management strategy to address the impact of increasing erosion on KSC. Two dunes totaling 1.7 kilometers in length were created to allow the shoreline to move landward slowly (i.e. managed retreat). The primary reason for building the dunes was to protect valuable national assets, but it was also anticipated that the dunes would provide habitat for wildlife. Post-construction monitoring efforts focused on vegetation and two protected species, Gopherus polyphemus (gopher tortoises) and Peromyscus polionotus niveiventris (southeastern beach mice). After five years of data collection, we found that desired species of vegetation proliferated and non-native species decreased over time. Numbers of G. polyphemus and their burrows increased steadily. P. polionotus niveiventris began using the dunes soon after they were planted and remained resident, based on trapping and radiotracking information. The created dunes have subsequently withstood two hurricanes and exhibited much less damage than the adjacent natural dunes. The use of green infrastructure appears to be effective for the simultaneous protection of NASA assets and conservation of important wildlife habitat. This adaptive management strategy using a managed retreat approach is a positive step toward addressing the uncertainty and variability of conditions associated with climate change and sea level rise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In coastal California dune ecosystems protect coastal cities from damaging storms and provide habitat for native wildlife. Despite the economic and ecological importance of coastal dunes, habitat loss has continued and is predicted to accelerate with a changing climate. To combat the effects of climate change and ensure that coastal dunes will persist into the future, they need to be prioritized for conservation and restoration. However, for restoration to be successful, endemic plants, which are plant with specialized habitat requirements, need to be prioritized because they make up a significant portion of the biodiversity in California coastal dunes. Because endemic plants are rare and there is limited stock of plants available for transplant, we need to be more aggressive in using pilot studies. These can be used to evaluate the biotic and abiotic conditions that maximize growth and reproduction and to help guide effective reintroduction. To evaluate how exploratory pilot studies can enhance the restoration of rare and endemic plant species, we conducted a study restoring Lupinus nipomensis, a United States federally endangered species, on coastal dunes in San Luis Obispo County, California. We found that L. nipomensis had the highest seed production in plots that had a steep, north facing slope and were protected from herbivores. Our results suggest that restoration efforts should be focused on areas with these characteristics to maximize restoration success. Our pilot reintroduction of L. nipomensis highlights the importance of using pilot experiments to enhance reintroduction success and to quicken the recovery of coastal dune ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restoration of coastal habitat fragmented, degraded, or destroyed by development and climate‐related processes such as sea level rise and storm surge usually involves planting native plants to restore habitat structure, but whether and how restored areas benefit taxa other than plants is rarely reported. Installing restoration plantings is one method used to build habitat such as beach dunes where dunes have been lost, potentially creating habitat for dune‐dependent species. We compared use of natural vegetated dunes, open sand gaps, and restoration plantings (habitat treatment) by Perdido Key beach mice (Peromyscus polionotus trissyllepsis) over 3 years using tracking tubes to assess the value of restoration plantings for beach mice. Tubes were monitored in two seasons (early and mid‐summer), and under new and full moon conditions. Mice used restoration plantings less than natural vegetated dunes but more than open sand gaps, which suggests restoration plantings may facilitate movement of mice across fragmented areas. Both season and moon phase influenced the effect of habitat treatment, interactions which may be attributable to perceived risk associated with movement under a combination of different conditions of ambient light, vegetation cover, and habitat novelty. Our results show restoration plantings provide habitat for movement and foraging, and may ameliorate some consequences of sea level rise and storms for beach mice and potentially other dune‐dependent species into the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marram grass (Ammophila arenaria L. Link (marram grass; Poaceae) has been identified as a major threat to the biodiversity of temperate dune systems outside its natural range. Coastal management and conservation agencies in a number of countries have invested in dune restoration programs involving the removal of invasive species, including marram grass. We investigate the age, viability and the depth distribution of buried seeds of this dune grass within two foredunes in southern New Zealand. The germinability of seeds of known age was determined at St Kilda Beach, Dunedin, New Zealand, to derive a minimum age for the seedbank. Seed was extracted by coring through a foredune to layers of sand of known age based on a time series of foredune-beach profiles. The potential of marram grass to develop large seedbanks in ideal conditions of vigorous plant growth and rapid foredune accretion, was investigated at Mason Bay. Buried seed was extracted using hand-corers to a maximum depth of 4.01 m and tested for germinability. A high proportion of excavated A. arenaria seeds were viable at both sites, including seeds recovered from 4 m depth at St Kilda, estimated to be at least 21 years old. We found no trend of declining viability with increasing depth at Mason Bay, suggesting seed may remain viable for longer than 21 years. Persistent, long-lived, seed banks of A. arenaria develop in foredunes. Restoration programs aiming to eradicate this species are likely to be prolonged (years to decades) as a result of regeneration from seeds that re-enter the shallow seed bank as dunes erode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid shore protection projects combine hard structures with beaches, sand dunes and vegetation, mimicking the appearance and function of natural landforms. These advantages can also accrue to structures built as primary protection that eventually become covered by sand following natural accretion, artificial nourishment or burial by earth-moving equipment. This study reviews the advantages and disadvantages of dunes designed and built as hybrid structures using geotextiles, gabions and clay as core elements and dunes that eventually form over traditional beach protection structures that are built independently of a sand cover. Dunes constructed with hard cores can be considered soft solutions that overcome restrictions by regulatory agencies against hard shoreline armoring, but most hybrid designs are low-cost temporary solutions. Protection plans should also include subsequent protection actions that address long-term needs. Hard cores should be placed close to the human facilities to be protected to increase space for naturally functioning landforms and habitats seaward. Mechanical reburial of exhumed cores should occur as soon as possible to help prevent damage to them, reestablish habitat and aesthetic value, reestablish safe access between beach and upland for native fauna and beach users, and keep nature and the need for restoration in the minds of beach users. Keeping the fronting beach wider by artificially nourishing it can protect the structure from exhumation, provide a larger sand surface for dune buildup by aeolian processes and provide space for a more natural environmental gradient across the shore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Remolar beach-dune system (700 m long and more than 100 m wide, 070N direction) borders a campground that was closed (2003), due to the Barcelona airport expansion. In order to recover and restore the dune ecosystem, a series of soft measures were performed. After 10 years, a study of the morphology, sedimentology, and vegetation of the ecosystem was carried out to evaluate the results of these measures. For this purpose, a series of topographic and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) profiles, grain-size analysis, and an analysis of plant communities found along the profiles were carried out. The data obtained were compared with data from a former 2004 study. The results show that the morphology of the dunes recovered, and a new primary dune has arisen. The system now has a greater process of aggradation than of progradation. The vegetation has recovered the global composition of dune systems, with a typical community of embryo dunes and others of primary dunes that are set in strips parallel to the coast. Despite this improvement, the opportunistic and ruderal component in the primary dune vegetation evidences a strong anthropic inheritance in the system.

Published by the UF/IFAS Florida Sea Grant College Program, this manual provides an overview of the coastal ecosystems along the Florida Panhandle and shows how dunes can be restored and enhanced in this region of the Northern Gulf of Mexico. In addition to direct experience acquired over many years of field work and experimentation, authors Chris Verlinde, Mack Thetford, and Debbie Miller consulted peer-reviewed academic journals, government documents, and various online resources to create the manual. Undergraduate and graduate students from the University of Florida and local professionals worked together with the UF/IFAS researchers to develop and test practical restoration techniques for Florida’s dunes. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg156

Dune management along developed coasts has traditionally focussed on the suppression of the geomorphic dynamics of the foredune to improve its role in sea defence. Because a stabilized foredune acts as an almost total barrier to aeolian transport from the beach, the habitat diversity in the more landward dunes has degraded. With the overarching objective to mitigate this undesirable loss in biodiversity, dune management projects nowadays increasingly intend to restore aeolian dynamics by reconnecting the beach-dune system with notches excavated through the foredune. Here, we use repeat topographic survey data to examine the geomorphic response of a coastal dune system in the Dutch National Park Zuid-Kennemerland to five notches excavated in 2012–2013 within an 850-m stretch of the 20-m high established foredune. The notches were dug in a V-shape (viewed onshore), with a width between approximately 50 and 100 m at the top, a (cross-dune) length between 100 and 200 m, and excavation depths between 9 and 12.5 m. The 1 × 1 m digital terrain models, acquired with airborne Lidar and UAV photogrammetry, illustrate that during the 3-year survey period the notches developed into a U-shape because of wall deflation, and that up to 8-m thick and 150-m long depositional lobes formed landward of the notches. Sand budget computations showed that the sand volume of the entire study area increased by about 22,750 m 3 /year, which, given the 850-m width of the study area, corresponds to an aeolian input from the beach of approximately 26.5 m 3 /m/year. Between 2006 and 2012 all wind-blown beach sand deposited on the seaward side of the foredune; since 2013, the notches have caused 75% of the sand to be deposited landward of the foredune. This highlights that the notches are highly effective conduits for aeolian transport into the back dunes. Future monitoring is required to determine for how long the notches will stimulate aeolian dynamics and if (and when) vegetation eventually starts to regrow and enforces the degeneration of the notches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Removal of shorefront houses following storm damage can provide opportunity to restore landforms and habitats and reduce risk to people and property. This opportunity was evaluated on the ocean coast of New Jersey, USA, following Hurricane Sandy, which occurred 29 October 2012. Houses were removed from 79 of 339 private shorefront lots in the 9 km-long segment having the greatest damage. Sixty lots remained empty four years after the storm. Mean dimensions of these empty lots were 66.3 m across shore and 23.4 m alongshore. Mean area of vegetation cover was 49.8% prior to the storm and 17.7% after the storm. The lots showed little indication of active landscaping after debris clearance, and the lots lacked topographic and vegetation diversity. The real estate value of empty lots appears too great for public purchase, and lots are weak points in shore protection plans when left to evolve naturally. A new bulkhead and extension of a pre-existing seawall built after the storm now isolate the former dune from the active backshore, eliminating natural sediment exchange between beach and dune on 47 of the 60 lots. Loss of the linkage between the backshore and dune caused by shore-parallel walls need not prevent restoration of native vegetation typical of the more stable backdune environments. Restoration actions that do not require buyout of properties for public use can contribute to the diversity, aesthetic appeal and resilience of the dune. The natural image may influence acceptance of natural vegetation and favor acceptance of managed retreat in the future when occupation of the shorefront becomes less tenable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perennial coastal grasses such as sea oats have long been recognized as the biological engineers of our increasingly stressed beaches and coastal dunes. Sea oats build dunes by capturing blowing sand and stabilizing it, and they’re often planted after dunes have been eroded, fragmented, or destroyed. Managers have tried commercial fertilizers and water-absorbing gels to ensure planted sea oats survive and thrive, but these products are not always effective and can be expensive. Removal of natural beach litter, called “wrack” and defined as “algae, grasses, driftwood, fruits, seeds, and carrion, along with cultural litter,” has frequently had the undesired effect of weakening the establishment and growth of sea oats. A relatively cheap and effective method to restore them is to reproduce the beneficial effects of this beach litter with “surrogate wrack.” This 4-page fact sheet describes the promising results of a study into the feasibility and effectiveness of surrogate wrack to help sea oats become established and grow more quickly and vibrantly to restore dunes and beaches. Written by Natalie Hooton, Debbie Miller, Mack Thetford, and Sean Claypool, and published by the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, August 2016. WEC364/UW409: Building Coastal Dunes with Sea Oats and Surrogate Wrack (ufl.edu)

Invasive nitrogen-fixing plants drive vegetation dynamics and may cause irreversible changes in nutrient-limited ecosystems through increased soil resources. We studied how soil conditioning by the invasive alien Lupinus nootkatensis affected the seedling growth of co-occurring native plant species in coastal dunes, and whether responses to lupin-conditioned soil could be explained by fertilisation effects interacting with specific ecological strategies of the native dune species. Seedling performance of dune species was compared in a greenhouse experiment using field-collected soil from within or outside coastal lupin stands. In associated experiments, we quantified the response to nutrient supply of each species and tested how addition of specific nutrients affected growth of the native grass Festuca arundinacea in control and lupin-conditioned soil. We found that lupin-conditioned soil increased seedling biomass in 30 out of 32 native species; the conditioned soil also had a positive effect on seedling biomass of the invasive lupin itself. Increased phosphorus mobilisation by lupins was the major factor driving these positive seedling responses, based both on growth responses to addition of specific elements and analyses of plant available soil nutrients. There were large differences in growth responses to lupin-conditioned soil among species, but they were unrelated to selected autecological indicators or plant strategies. We conclude that Lupinus nootkatensis removes the phosphorus limitation for growth of native plants in coastal dunes, and that it increases cycling of other nutrients, promoting the growth of its own seedlings and a wide range of dune species. Finally, our study indicates that there are no negative soil legacies that prevent re-establishment of native plant species after removal of lupins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant populations were reintroduced to the coastal dune bar of the Devesa de Albufera from 1988 to 2004; different coastline sections received different species composition and cover. With the aim to detect spatial and temporal variation of floristic diversity, we compared current species composition and cover across the length of the Devesa and across the dune bar with those imposed at the time of restoration. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) detected significant differences both across the dune faces and across the coast sections. Differences across the dune faces reflect the sea-inland ecological gradient and resulted from a spatial rearrangement of plant populations:Calystegia soldanella,Achillea maritimaandPolygonum maritimumprefer the windward face;Malcolmia littoreaandLagurus ovatusthe leeward. Differences across coast sections are related to those at restoration time, with a slow trend towards the homogenization of plant communities. At the current level of anthropic pressure, the plant cover is likely to evolve following the trends pointed out in this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some barrier-island dunes damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Sandy's storm surges in October 2012 have been reconstructed using sediments dredged from back bays. These sand-, clay-, and iron sulfide-rich sediments were used to make berm-like cores for the reconstructed dunes, which were then covered by beach sand. In November 2013, we sampled and analyzed partially weathered materials collected from the cores of reconstructed dunes. There are generally low levels of metal toxicants in the reconstructed dune materials. However oxidation of reactive iron sulfides by percolating rainwater produces acid-sulfate pore waters, which evaporate during dry periods to produce efflorescent gypsum and sodium jarosite salts. The results suggest use of sulfidic sediments in dune reconstruction has both drawbacks (e.g., potential to generate acid runoff from dune cores following rainfall, enhanced corrosion of steel bulwarks) and possible benefits (e.g., efflorescent salts may enhance structural integrity). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Where urban areas are situated close to a beach, sand dunes act as protection from flooding and erosion. When a dune has been removed or damaged by erosion, dune, ridge or dyke re-building using heavy machinery, a process known as beach scraping, is a common method of restoration. Following construction, natural accretion of sediment on the backshore is preferable as it facilitates sustained natural dune building, growth of vegetation, and habitat creation and reduces the need for further beach scraping. This study investigates the near surface flow and transport potential for three artificial structure designs: a single ridge, a double ridge and a dyke. The three shapes contained an identical volume of sand and were preceded by 50 m of beach at an angle of 3°. A computational fluid dynamic model (CFD) was created for each scenario to calculate wind flow and shear velocity from 4 different wind directions at 22.5° intervals from 0° (onshore) to 67.5°. From this data sediment flux was predicted along a two dimensional transect for each of the scenarios. For all structures, shear velocity on the beach and stoss slope decreased as incident wind direction became more oblique; conversely shear velocity in the lee of the crest increased. A reduction in shear velocity at the foot of each structure also occurred and appears related to stoss slope, with the greatest reduction at the toe of the dyke structure (stoss slope 34°) and the least before the single ridge (stoss slope 17°). Specifically the results suggest that the double ridge structure is the most resilient to aeolian erosion. Shear velocity reduction on the back beach is comparable to the dyke and sediment flux from the stoss slope of the double ridge structure may become trapped in the swale between the two ridges encouraging sediment deposition, thus reducing sediment transport beyond the dunes and backshore. Although the dyke structure underwent the greatest reduction in shear velocity on the back beach it experienced substantial sediment flux at the crest and along the top of the structure, making it susceptible to erosion during a strong wind event. The highest sediment transport rate was calculated at the crest of the single ridge, and the single ridge structure also created the smallest reduction of shear velocity on the back beach, thus making it less desirable than the double ridge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal dunes are complex and fragile ecosystems. The decrease in environmental stressors from sea to inland creates zonation patterns of habitats, which support high biodiversity. Although coastal dunes have been examined in primary succession studies for more than 100 years, invertebrates have received much less attention than other taxa. In this study, we examined ant community composition and its relationship with vegetation structure on dunes, and used ants as indicators to reveal the influence of anthropogenic disturbances on these habitats. Quadrat sampling, hand collecting, and beating plants were used to sample ants on coastal dunes fringing the northern Gulf of Mexico. Ants representing 44 species were found, with diversity and number of functional groups increasing from foredunes to backdunes. Bush areas of the backdunes supported a unique ant community. Ant diversity was correlated with plant richness, stem number, and plant cover, but the correlation was not consistent among habitats. Ant diversity was lower in degraded, young-planted, and re-built but not in old-planted sites. In addition, different types of disturbance changed the ant community and functional groups in different ways. Our study emphasizes the importance of protecting the whole dune system, especially the backdunes, which support high diversity but are often completely destroyed by urban development. Data from this research provides a benchmark to examine trajectories of coastal dune ecosystem degradation or recovery when exposed to natural or anthropogenic disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a case study of a Phase 1 restoration initiative of a natural inland sand dune complex, the Pinhey Sand Dunes (PSD), in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Canada. The 10,000 year-old dune complex lies on protected federal land, the National Capital Greenbelt, providing a favourable opportunity for study, restoration and conservation. A geological analysis of the PSD is provided, highlighting the unique qualities of an inland dune as compared to the more common coastal dune. Urban development and misguided tree planting programs in the 1950s are main causes of the degradation of this complex. A key component of this restoration/conservation project is the cooperation and collaboration of the National Capital Commission (NCC), responsible for the management of the land. A major focus of the initiative has been the education of the community, students at the elementary, high school and university levels and the general public. This educational component is designed to create a long-term strategy for conservation. The on-the-ground restoration process, biomonitoring, community and volunteer participation are all chronicled in this detailed case study. Lessons learned through Phase 1 of the project have been compiled and synthesised to create a dynamic restoration model that may serve to assist others in restoring similar habitats and lay a foundation of knowledge informing Phase 2 of the PSD restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Miller, D.L.; Thetford, M.; Dupree, J., and Atwood, L., 2014. Influence of seasonal changes and shifting substrate on survival of restoration plantings of Schizachyrium maritimum (Gulf bluestem) on Santa Rosa Island, Florida. Environmental gradients on barrier islands are modified by the loss of dunes as a result of hurricane overwash. The success of restoration plantings in posthurricane landscapes is determined by abiotic conditions, including seasonal and spatial gradients of wind speed and substrate transport encountered before dune redevelopment. The response of Schizachyrium maritimum, a dominant, sand-trapping, dune-forming grass of the northern Gulf Coast to month of planting, sand manipulation, and plant spacing was investigated on Santa Rosa Island, Florida. This grass is also a valuable food for endangered beach mice. Seasonal plantings were initiated in 4 months (November 2005, February 2006, June 2006, and August 2006) at each of six sites. For each site and each planting date, plots were split by plant spacing (30 or 45 cm between plants) and again by two sand manipulation regimes (natural sand accumulation or sand level at 3 cm). Sand surface levels were determined and manipulated every 2 weeks. Plant survival and growth were recorded September 2006 and July 2007. Plant survival and growth were greatest for summer plantings, particularly June plantings. Sand burial by natural accumulation did not result in plant death. Most plant death, particularly for November and February plantings, was associated with root exposure and sand loss around transplants. Closer spacing appeared to slow sand loss and plant death for November plantings. Planting of S. maritimum should be restricted to summer months, preferably June, and where sand loss can be minimized by use of mulch or other sand stabilizing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive Spanish dune areas were totally altered and destroyed in the course of massive tourist urbanization and road construction projects during the 1960's-1970's. Littoral drift interruption by harbour and marinas as well as sand mining for construction and agriculture purposes also contributed to accelerated dune erosion. Furthermore, human trampling, refuse dumping, excessive dune recreational pressure, use of all-terrain vehicles and cropping, are amongst the main causes contributing and accelerating physical and ecological degradation of most Spanish dune systems. Before 1988, Spanish coastal dunes were totally unprotected. The 1988 Spanish Shore Act ("Ley de Costas") arose with the aim of regulating the coastal activities and preventing littoral destruction. The Spanish Shore Act protects all coastal dunes precludes their destruction by sand mining and any other form of development,. However, this law still does not prevent some of the above negative activities occuring. Furthermore, the complexity of existing boundaries of the different authorities involved in coastal zone management policy makes integrated dune management a difficult task. The National Spanish Coastal Authority, Ministry of Environment, have been aware of this problem and undertook a strong policy on dune restoration which has been incremented yearly. In this paper the main dune problems found along the Spanish coastline are outlined, paying particular attention to the analysis of certain case studies and an overview of the different dune restoration techniques used is given. Seven representative examples in which the authors were involved are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The invasive ecosystem engineer Ammophila arenaria, native to Europe, was first introduced to California (USA) in 1896. More than a century later, it has come to dominate coastal foredune vegetation on the west coast of North America to the near exclusion of native species. A. arenaria builds a narrow, steep, peaked, and densely vegetated foredune, in contrast to the broad, more sparsely vegetated foredunes built by the native Elymus mollis. As such, it has modified dune processes by fixing the foredune and disrupting exchange of sediment between the beach, foredune, and dunefield. In the 1930s the congener A. breviligulata, native to the east coast and Great Lakes USA, was first introduced to Oregon, and has been displacing A. arenaria in southern Washington. Ammophila spp. have drastically reduced biodiversity, outcompeting native plant species, and displacing both invertebrate and vertebrate species. Restoration of west coast dunes through the removal of Ammophila began in the 1990s. Methods usually consist of one or a combination of manual digging, burning/herbicides, or excavation with heavy equipment. There are benefits and disadvantages to each method. Manual removal has proven most effective at restoring foredune form and process but is expensive. Excavation and herbicides may result in the loss of foredune morphology. Managers must articulate goals carefully before selecting restoration methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iceland has vast areas of mobile sand resulting from volcanic glacier bursts and erosion. Seed of the coastal, dune-building grass Lymus arenarius is harvested from natural stands for use in extensive land reclamation programmes. We investigated the economic use of fertilizer treatments in managing the production of seeds, and to facilitate the establishment and survival of seedlings. Seed yield could be increased dramatically in coastal dunes by the application of nitrogen fertilizers, mainly as a result of flowering­spike density. Little shprt­term advantage accrued from additions of phosphorus or potassium. Additions of n (rapid-release formulations) at 50–100 kg ha &sup-1; could be highly cost­effective in providing the current production from a much smaller area of dunes or in increasing seed production. Other consequences would be to minimize the environmental impact of harvesting and to allow more focused management of the seed resource. If periodic applications of p and k should prove necessary to maintain yield, they would be economically justifiable. Establishment of seedlings on volcanic, sandy barrens over the first two seasons from sowing was improved by the application of slow­release fertilizers, however, rapid­release formulations applied annually, produced a similar tiller density and biomass after 4 years more economically. Untreated control populations became extinct over the same period, underlining the necessity for nutrient addition. A sand­culture experiment indicated that plants severely deprived of P allocated more dry mass to roots and rhizomes, and those deprived of k allocated more to above­ground parts. These responses might be manipulated to improve establishment in slowly and rapidly accreting environments, respectively. The seed production of moribund, late­successional stands could not be rejuvenated by fertilizer application. On the contrary, where there was a vegetational response, competing species were stimulated at the expense of L. arenarius. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Remolar beach-dune system (700 m long and more than 100 m wide, 070N direction) borders a campground that was closed (2003), due to the Barcelona airport expansion. In order to recover and restore the dune ecosystem, a series of soft measures were performed. After 10 years, a study of the morphology, sedimentology, and vegetation of the ecosystem was carried out to evaluate the results of these measures. For this purpose, a series of topographic and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) profiles, grain-size analysis, and an analysis of plant communities found along the profiles were carried out. The data obtained were compared with data from a former 2004 study. The results show that the morphology of the dunes recovered, and a new primary dune has arisen. The system now has a greater process of aggradation than of progradation. The vegetation has recovered the global composition of dune systems, with a typical community of embryo dunes and others of primary dunes that are set in strips parallel to the coast. Despite this improvement, the opportunistic and ruderal component in the primary dune vegetation evidences a strong anthropic inheritance in the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to contribute with a tool to guide decision makers with some level of understanding of coastal dynamics as to the most appropriate management measures to adopt. A set of indices for assessing beach-dune systems and their potential for dune restoration are presented. The systems analysed are described using variables related to physical and anthropic factors, and the sites are classified according to the intervention actions required. Fifty beach-dune systems representing the range of types of beaches, the degree of urbanisation, and the dune morphologies found on the Catalan coastline (NE Iberian Peninsula) are sampled. The results show that beaches with the most developed dunes usually have high scores for management and low scores for urbanisation, while the less developed dunes are found on beaches with very low scores for management. Regarding the potential for dune restoration, the beaches are classified into four groups according to the management measures recommended: dune conservation, dune restoration, dune recovery, and renaturalisation of beaches where only incipient dunes can be developed. • A tool to guide decision makers and prioritise beach management is presented. • Set of indices for assessing dunes and their potential for restoration are designed. • The most degraded dunes on the Catalan coastline are found on low-managed beaches. • The most developed dunes are found on non-urbanised and well-managed beaches. • The four proposals are conservation, restoration, recovery of dunes and renaturalisation of beaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]