Sand dunes - a coastal ecosystem Coastal areas are used for many functions, and these often conflict with one another. Think about the Northumberland coastline, we have farms, industry (such as the Alcan Plant), tourism (e.g. Seahouses), residential areas (Blyth) and Conservation areas (Seaton Sluice sand dunes and the Farne Islands). Not all of these land uses fit with one another or are compatible with one another. However, coasts provide valuable habitats for lots of species and despite all of the land uses there is a recognised need to protect and conserve our vulnerable and precious coastal habitat. Sand dunes are a major UK coastal habitat as seen on the map below; Sand dunes develop over time and have to cope with high winds, inundation from the sea, saline conditions, and relative drought in sandy poor soils. They evolve along a succession shown below; |
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Marram grass is a pioneer species on sand dunes, and the image below shows how Marram grass survives in this harsh environment; |
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Seaton Sluice sand dunes near Blyth
Major issues for the dunes
be
prone to causing dune “blowouts”
2.
Erosion of the dune complex at Meggie’s Burn via a storm water outlet
pipe
3.
Winter storms – these have washed away huge quantities of sand over
recent years
4.
Invasive species such as ragwort
Management
Seaton Sluice dunes are managed by the Northumberland Shoreline
Management Plan (SMP).
The SMP provides an assessment of the risks associated with
coastal change and gives ideas (policies) to deal with these risks to
people and the developed, historic and natural environment in a
sustainable manner. It runs from Berwick upon Tweed to Newcastle upon
Tyne.
The SMP states that; 2. Management of the weak spot at Meggie’s Burn should be considered to provide a smoother transition between the harder management to the north and the management of the dunes to the south. To assist this, it is recommended that further investigation of the local erosion and possible management responses around Meggie’s Burn is undertaken, at an expected cost of £40,000.
3.
Dune management is also recommended by the SMP using “soft techniques”
to prevent breaching by the sea at an annual cost of £20,000
(Adjusted from
http://www.northumberland-smp2.org.uk/download.htm
)
Other recent management includes;
1.
Local residents can deposit their Christmas trees in nearby car parks
for recycling; they are deposited on the dune crests by the Council
workforce and used to help stabilize areas of known blow-outs or
trampling damage.
2.
Anti-tank blocks are used to locally help defend storm-damaged areas
(these blocks are moved around the beach).
3.
Sand is recycled from the bottom of South beach to the top of South
Beach to help reinforce beach levels and to prevent the accumulated
material from spilling into the navigation channel and then needing
dredging.
4.
In 2007, an innovative approach of using bio-degradable geotextile
‘sandbags’ (large-scale) to help stabilised erosion-prone areas has been
adopted.
5.
Banning of horse riding on the dunes. Riding on beach permitted but
access limited. (2006 British Horse Society & 2012 Blyth Coastal warden)
6.
Pulling of ragwort (invasive species) by hand
7.
New dune construction at Meggie’s Burn
8.
Pathways and cycle paths constructed. (2000 Save Our Dunes Petition)
9.
Fences were built through the dunes to help with accumulation of sand by
effectively being a wind break, dissipating the force of the wind and
stopping sand from being removed from the dune. This process is called "Brashing".
10.
Groynes have been used to stop LSD (long shore drift) from
diminishing the levels of sand on the beach.
11.
The area is also a Local nature reserve helping to protect
four species of “Orchid” and five species of “Cranesbills” or wild
Geraniums which can be found amongst the numerous wild flowers and
grasses growing on the dunes. |
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