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Sand dune - summary of loss in Europe
The loss of sand dune habitat has been considerable throughout the UK and Continental
Europe. A Europe-wide survey provides a summary of the main reasons for loss.
Figures are shown in the Table below:
Table:
Summary of loss of sand dune for north west European countries over the last
100 years, where numerical information is available.
| Country |
Area (estimate) |
Lost |
Reason |
| Norway |
>2,000ha
|
>40%
|
Development, reversion to scrub |
| Poland |
35,000ha
|
>50%
|
Afforestation, recreational related developments |
| Denmark |
80,000ha
|
35%
|
Afforestation (30,000ha), recreation |
| Germany |
<12,000ha
|
15-20%
|
Urbanisation, recreational development |
| Netherlands |
45,000ha
|
32%
|
Afforestation (14%), urban & recreational development |
| Belgium |
5,000ha
|
46%
|
Tourism & urban
development |
| Great Britain |
56,000ha
|
30-40%
|
Afforestation
(14%), urban, recreational (including golf),
erosion,
agriculture & industry |
| Ireland |
14,300ha
|
40-60%
|
Recreational development, agriculture
& erosion |
| France |
250,000ha
|
40-75*%
|
Afforestation,
tourist development |
| Spain |
70,000ha
|
30-75*%
|
Afforestation, tourism & recreational development |
| Portugal |
100,000
|
45-50%
|
Afforestation, agriculture & tourism |
* Loss on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts respectively.
Caveat: Military
use is present on many of the larger dune systems in Europe. Paradoxically
though causing some damage these have helped to protect some of the larger systems
from damage from other uses.
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