Restoration of Dune Mobility in The Netherlands

Abstract

Pioneer stages in Dutch coastal dunes are under thread. In several areas experiments are executed to reactivate dunes. The aim is to restore aeolian processes in order to create new possibilities for the development of pioneer vegetation. How successful are these experiments? This paper compares the results of three different projects from three different areas. The results indicate that large-scale destabilisation of dunes by removal of vegetation leads to a massive increase of dynamic, aeolian processes in an area. In order to achieve durable dune mobility, the sand must stay in movement, either by regular disturbances or by the availability of high, erodable dunes