Sand dune processes and management for flood and coastal defence
This project explored the physical processes taking place in sand dunes, and the best way of managing them for defending the coastline.
Documents
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Details
Sand dunes provide important natural coastal flood defences and are also very important for nature conservation, recreation and tourism.
This project aimed to achieve a better understanding of the physical nature of sand dunes and of the natural processes that affect their shape and composition.
The study reviewed current methods and techniques for managing coastal dunes. It also looked at the potential future effects of climate change on the dunes and their associated beach systems. It assessed the importance of dune systems for coastal defence, and the potential effects of removing hard defences to recreate the dynamic dune systems that were in place before.
The report was intended to inform local engineers and other coastal managers involved in managing dunes, and to act as a grounding for further research in this area.
This project ran from 1999 to 2001 at a cost £26,000.