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Value State 3, overgrown or afforested 'Fixed' dune
In this state the value of the sand dune depends to a large extent on whether
the development has been process oriented i.e. through successional development
in the absence of grazing which leads to scrub
invasion, or by afforestation.
For the former many of the values attributable to Open or Semi-stable (State
2) sand dunes will survive at least until a full canopy of scrub
or woodland develops. This may take many years. By contrast planting of non-native
trees can have a major impact in a relatively short space of time with an almost
complete loss of dune plants and animals. However that is not to say that scrub
invaded dunes or newly afforested areas have no interest. They can develop some
or all of the following attributes, which may militate against their restoration:
- Nature conservation
- Hippophae scrub can provide important
resting areas for some migrating birds (passerines) and food for some species
of thrush;
- Mature forests may support mammals not found in intensively used hinterland.
These include species such as the red squirrel Sciurus
vulgaris (on the Sefton
Coast) or in Scotland the pine martin Martes
martes (Culbin
Sands);
- Landscape and cultural
- Forest parks and picnic areas;
- Coastal defence and economic
- Afforested dunes are often considered to have a greater resilience to storm
damage. In many instances this has been the driving force for their development.
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Guidance: It is not clear if afforested dunes are more resilient
to erosion than unafforested dunes. Locking up sand, which could be available
to replenish the beach during storms can make the whole system more, not
less vulnerable. Before undertaking any planting scheme the effects on
the existing interest and the geomorphological consequences of taking
such action should be carefully considered. This should take into account
the fact that a degree
of instability may be important to the survival of some sand
dune features of nature conservation significance.
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