Dune

Dune

Mound or ridge of sand deposited by the wind, capable of movement when unvegetated. Dune building can be augmented by sand fencing, planting beach grass, or planting native plants.

Coastal Dunes

Coastal Dunes refers to the building up of sediment which is transported by the waves and wind, resulting in a series of sand ridges. The Hydrosphere, lithosphere biosphere and atmosphere all interact to form the ecosystem of the coastal dune.

Coastal erosion:

Fore dunes are a protection against the force of the waves and harsh wind.They supply sand for the beach to prevent damage and erosion. Coastal erosion is achieved when sand is pulled off the beach by wave action and deposited offshore, in or behind the surf zone. Damage or deductions of vegetation within the dunes makes the sand dunes vulnerable to harsh coastal winds and waves which result to dune sand drifts.Dune restoration can help eroded or degraded dunes by rebuilding through techniques such as fencing, sand fill and re vegetation.

Dune formations:

Dunes form where constructive waves encourage the accumulation of sand, and where current onshore winds blow this sand inland. There need to be obstacles such as , vegetation, pebbles and soils to trap the moving sand grains. As the sand grains get trapped they start to accumulate, starting dune formation.

Factors which affect the formation of coastal dunes:

- Beach storm erosion

- Reduced coastal environment

- Flooding due to storm waves surge

- Sand movement

- Landslides and rock fall.