Coastal Environments

Sand dunes

Coastal DunesYou must be able to• Describe, in general terms, the flora

and fauna found at an area of dunes

• Link these to conditions in the dunes

• Describe how the area is being conserved and the strategies to ensure it is managed sustainably

• Identify conflicts that might arise between different users of this environment

You should be able to• Describe in more detail the flora and

fauna found there

• Explain the links between the environmental conditions and the types of flora and fauna found there

• Explain how the management strategies are sustainable and how some of the conflicts can be reduced

Why study sand dunes?

What are sand dunes like and why are they like this?

Sand dunes

ExampleAinsdale Dunes, South Lancashire

Sand dunes: Ainsdale Dunes

Sand dunes at Ainsdale

During the video, make notes on the following: How dunes form;

How the following change inland from the beach: dune height and age,

wind speed,

vegetation type and amount,

soil pH and organic content,

fresh water availabilityWhy are these last

two important?

Sand dunes1. On a sheet of plain A4 paper, sketch the dune profile at

Ainsdale – to show the embryo & fore-dunes and the first, second and third dune ridges ... example

2. Underneath these ridges, using suitable methods, show how pH, % organic content, species diversity and % vegetation cover change along the dune profile.

3. Use the handout and your video notes to explain how coastal dunes form (don’t include reference to the plants). In your answer you should refer to the diagram you have drawn in activities 1 & 2.

Sand dunes4. Describe how the flora changes as you go inland through the

dunes from the beach.

5. Referring to your diagram from task 2, explain why these changes happen.

Sand dunes6. Copy and complete the following table using the handout to:

a. Describe what these habitats are like at Ainsdale dunes

b. Describe the fauna that’s found there

c. Explain how the fauna is related to the conditions in each habitat:

Habitat Conditions Fauna Explanation

Open sand

Active dunes

Dune slack

Wasting dunes

Ideas for presenting data

Ainsdale Dunes: Management

1. Outline some of the conflicts that exist between different people who want use these dunes

2. Choose two threats to these dunes. For each one:a. Describe it and explain why it’s a threat

b. Describe and explain how it is being sustainably managed – so that it reduces the conflicts and ensures the dunes are available to future generations

Sustainable: allows people to keep using the environment without damaging it so that future generations can use it too

Sand dunes at AinsdaleWhat are the impacts of human activity on the sand dunes?

http://www.snh.org.uk/publications/on-line/heritagemanagement/erosion/index.shtml

Useful dune site from Scottish heritage

Dune RegenerationSouth Milton Sands, Devon

Dune regeneration at South Milton Sands

Dune regeneration at South Milton Sands

Dune regeneration at South Milton Sands

Dune regeneration at South Milton Sands

1. Dune regeneration is a form of soft engineering. What does this mean?

2. Why were the dunes under threat at South Milton Sands, Devon?

3. How have the dunes been regenerated here?

4. Do you think this is a sustainable approach to managing this part of the coast? Justify your answer.