Meeting papers

Biodiverse, healthy vegetation on dunes means that the native vegetation remains more adaptable
and resilient to any changes. We don’t yet know which species are likely to be more adaptable to
changed climatic conditions, or more resistant to disease or new predators facilitated by climate
change. Having a wide range of native species mixed in with each other means that change
resilient species are more likely to be in place, and that the loss of some species is less likely to
significantly reduce vegetation cover and be more easily recovered by remaining species.

Sloping, healthy dunes help keep sand on our beaches. Waves run out on the natural slope,
reducing the amount of energy available to lift and carry sand away. Steep dune faces left after
storms soon slump, quickly returning the back of the beach to a more natural slope. Dunes are a
source of sediment for offshore bars that develop after storms that then act as a local source of
sediment to rebuild beaches and frontal dunes. 6




6 Lawlor, P., Jackson, D.W.T. (2022). A Nature-Based Solution for Coastal Foredune Restoration: The Case

Study of Maghery, County Donegal, Ireland. In: Misiune, I., Depellegrin, D., Egarter Vigl, L. (eds) Human-
Nature Interactions. Springer, Cham.

Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves Management Plan 2023                                           Page 27

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