Experiences Applying a DIY Wireless Wind Data Acquisition System in Coastal Dune Field Studies

Abstract

Coastal dune fields and other coastal arid environments are dynamic ecosystems that provide a wide range of functions and services, many still insufficiently understood, and are of particular importance amid ongoing global change and increasing anthropogenic pressure. In this paper, we present our experience applying a DIY wireless wind data-acquisition system across six coastal dune-field studies covering diverse applications in aeolian process research. The system measures wind direction and speed over an extended area, sampling multiple points simultaneously within a single experimental session. The DIY approach offers notably lower cost and greater flexibility than commercial off-the-shelf alternatives. Findings across the six studies have been diverse, ranging from on-site modelling of dune behaviour to establishing the interconnection of marine and terrestrial areas in coastal beach zones, with implications for environmental management. As most similar DIY sensor-network applications have been reported as single case studies, applying the same system across six studies over the years is the main contribution of this work. Finally, from this experience, a straightforward four-phase methodology was formulated for implementation.