partially recovered as much sand returned from the nearshore. Accretion visibly
occurred at the base of the reconstructed dunes, although it was not quantified.
The residents of the Sandhill Shores community were quite happy with the
reconstructed dune–swale ecosystem (Fig. 6.4). They spent less than $100,000
(in 2009) on the restoration along the 1-km stretch of beach, and felt that the
original dune and swale structure had protected their homes from a much greater
expense during Hurricane Ike. Moreover, residents expressed that the reconstructed dunes enhanced the aesthetic value of their property and buffered them
from public intrusions onto their property.
6.5 Conclusion
As these three projects show, several incentives exist to restore coastal sand dunes,
even if hurricanes or other storm events destroy them every few years. They are
continually rebuilt because:
1. They effectively demarcate the public beach from private property, which is a
significant legal feature in many parts of the world.
2. They are aesthetically pleasing, providing a sense of nature and wildness.
3. They protect housing and infrastructure from the impacts of future storms.
It is gratifying when governments or individuals contribute money toward
conserving or restoring natural dune ecosystems. Often, foredune restoration
projects are initiated because people realize the value of a functioning dune
ecosystem. However, in the context of repeated destruction of these projects, and
in a world of fiscal constraints and competing interests, there must be other
incentives that drive their construction. The financial benefit must outweigh the
cost of such projects.
This is a powerful story that is not to be viewed cynically—dune restoration
projects can find support even when there is no ecological reason to do so, and
where there is no support from an environmental lobby or concerned citizens.
Small pockets of the natural world can exist located within a largely urban matrix,
simply because it is in people’s financial interest to maintain them. In Galveston,
Texas, this interest is strong enough to ensure that these small, semi-natural dune
areas are diligently restored after every storm.
References
Feagin RA (2005) Artificial dunes created to protect property on Galveston Island, Texas: the
lessons learned. Ecol Restor 23:89–94
Feagin RA, Sherman DJ, Grant WE (2005) Coastal erosion, global sea-level rise, and the loss of
sand dune plant habitats. Front Ecol Environ 3:359–364
102
R. Feagin
occurred at the base of the reconstructed dunes, although it was not quantified.
The residents of the Sandhill Shores community were quite happy with the
reconstructed dune–swale ecosystem (Fig. 6.4). They spent less than $100,000
(in 2009) on the restoration along the 1-km stretch of beach, and felt that the
original dune and swale structure had protected their homes from a much greater
expense during Hurricane Ike. Moreover, residents expressed that the reconstructed dunes enhanced the aesthetic value of their property and buffered them
from public intrusions onto their property.
6.5 Conclusion
As these three projects show, several incentives exist to restore coastal sand dunes,
even if hurricanes or other storm events destroy them every few years. They are
continually rebuilt because:
1. They effectively demarcate the public beach from private property, which is a
significant legal feature in many parts of the world.
2. They are aesthetically pleasing, providing a sense of nature and wildness.
3. They protect housing and infrastructure from the impacts of future storms.
It is gratifying when governments or individuals contribute money toward
conserving or restoring natural dune ecosystems. Often, foredune restoration
projects are initiated because people realize the value of a functioning dune
ecosystem. However, in the context of repeated destruction of these projects, and
in a world of fiscal constraints and competing interests, there must be other
incentives that drive their construction. The financial benefit must outweigh the
cost of such projects.
This is a powerful story that is not to be viewed cynically—dune restoration
projects can find support even when there is no ecological reason to do so, and
where there is no support from an environmental lobby or concerned citizens.
Small pockets of the natural world can exist located within a largely urban matrix,
simply because it is in people’s financial interest to maintain them. In Galveston,
Texas, this interest is strong enough to ensure that these small, semi-natural dune
areas are diligently restored after every storm.
References
Feagin RA (2005) Artificial dunes created to protect property on Galveston Island, Texas: the
lessons learned. Ecol Restor 23:89–94
Feagin RA, Sherman DJ, Grant WE (2005) Coastal erosion, global sea-level rise, and the loss of
sand dune plant habitats. Front Ecol Environ 3:359–364
102
R. Feagin