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Values State 1, erosional dunes
Sand dunes, which are in a highly erosional state are usually considered to
be in need of remedial action. This is usually viewed from a coastal defence
perspective. However, this rather negative view of instability must be tempered
by the recognition that moving sand and open sand dune communities do a number
of values. NB There is a considerable overlap between the values attached to
both State
1 and State
2 dunes. These values are listed below under three headings:
- Nature conservation
- Mobile sand is essential for the development of new dune;
- As precursors to the development of dune slacks
which are also important for natterjack
toads and fen orchid Liparis
loeselii;
- Highly destabilised systems provide opportunities for geomorphological studies
on dune form and function;
- Landscape and cultural
- Large migrating dunes have a landscape value related to their size and speed
of movement;
- The Dune of Pilat, situated at the entrance of the Bay of Arcachon, opposite
the Point of Cap Ferret and part of the Acquitaine
dunes, is the biggest sand formation of Europe. Measuring 105 meters* high,
2700 meters long, 500 meters wide and with a volume of 20 million cubic meters
of sand, the "Big Dune" is the most visited spot of the coastal
area, with over 1 million visitors per year. It has been declared an "important
national site" in 1978.
- Eroding dunes may expose buried archaeology (e.g. Skara Brae, Orkney and
in western Ireland, see picture opposite);
Caption:
Neolithic settlement uncovered by eroding machair in
western Ireland
- Coastal defence and economic
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