Managing Sand dunes

Managing sand dunes can be considered from two main standpoints:

1. Grazing;
2. Sea defence.

The first affects the nature of the vegetation though it can also influence stability, especially where high stock levels are maintained. On systems that are over-grazed, especially where other uses are extant then large scale erosion can be initiated. This may in turn influence the human perception of their sea defence capability, where eroding sand dunes are considered to provide less protection than stable ones (but see section on restoration methods).

There are several other issues relevant to restoration included in the Guide, namely: their use for golf and the conservation of rare species such as Liparis loeselii (fen orchid) and Bufo calamita (natterjack toad).