foredune location (Fig. 3.11). These are usually in areas of high touristic development and related to beach use. In these cases, the artificial foredune is established inland and various means are employed to remove pioneer vegetation and
any sandy hillocks that may be forming. The foredune position is manipulated
constantly to maximize the open beach environment.
3.6 Summary and Conclusion
The foredune exists at the inner margin of the beach and migrates spatially as the
beach either accretes or erodes. The foredune has a sediment budget, accreting or
eroding, that is related to the beach budget, but that can be different in magnitude
and direction. Geomorphologically, restoration of the sediment budget in the
foredune is the key to the vector of change in this site. Action taken to ensure the
availability of sediment reaching the location of pioneer vegetation so as to
accumulate and create the heterogeneity of the natural topographical features is the
essence of restoration in foredune systems. Manipulation or artificial placement of
sediment on the beach profile, as well as construction of fences or other barriers to
the inland transport of sediment, are aspects of foredune rehabilitation if the
feature occupies the natural site of the foredune. If the emplacement of sediment or
barriers are beyond the sites of natural foredune location (usually seaward), the
constructed dune ridge completely contradicts the concept of foredune restoration.
As seen along many coastlines, foredunes are an essential component of the natural coastal morphologies and they provide a unique set of habitats for plants and
animals. Their viability is tied to the spatial and temporal supply of sediment to
maintain the foredune system in situ or to maintain it as it shifts under scenarios of
diminished sediment supply and sea-level rise. Restoration of foredunes consists of
Fig. 3.11 The constructed
foredune is maintained inland
of its optimal position,
Wildwood, NJ, USA
3 Restoration of Coastal Foredunes, a Geomorphological Perspective
45
any sandy hillocks that may be forming. The foredune position is manipulated
constantly to maximize the open beach environment.
3.6 Summary and Conclusion
The foredune exists at the inner margin of the beach and migrates spatially as the
beach either accretes or erodes. The foredune has a sediment budget, accreting or
eroding, that is related to the beach budget, but that can be different in magnitude
and direction. Geomorphologically, restoration of the sediment budget in the
foredune is the key to the vector of change in this site. Action taken to ensure the
availability of sediment reaching the location of pioneer vegetation so as to
accumulate and create the heterogeneity of the natural topographical features is the
essence of restoration in foredune systems. Manipulation or artificial placement of
sediment on the beach profile, as well as construction of fences or other barriers to
the inland transport of sediment, are aspects of foredune rehabilitation if the
feature occupies the natural site of the foredune. If the emplacement of sediment or
barriers are beyond the sites of natural foredune location (usually seaward), the
constructed dune ridge completely contradicts the concept of foredune restoration.
As seen along many coastlines, foredunes are an essential component of the natural coastal morphologies and they provide a unique set of habitats for plants and
animals. Their viability is tied to the spatial and temporal supply of sediment to
maintain the foredune system in situ or to maintain it as it shifts under scenarios of
diminished sediment supply and sea-level rise. Restoration of foredunes consists of
Fig. 3.11 The constructed
foredune is maintained inland
of its optimal position,
Wildwood, NJ, USA
3 Restoration of Coastal Foredunes, a Geomorphological Perspective
45