Aménagement des forêts littorales: Cas des forêts dunaires du littoral atlantique français

Abstract

Dune forests and their associated environments are the most representative type of coastal forest in metropolitan France. These "juvenile" forests were largely shaped by the soil stabilisation work done in the previous century by planting maritime pines. Planning these forests must consider certain original attributes such as the continuous mobilisation of the coastline occupied by a non-wooded dune belt, rapid colonisation of the pioneer coniferous forests by deciduous species and heavy pressure from the tourist industry. Special monitoring and analysis methods for the coastline and an integrated approach to accommodating the public have been developed.