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Enhancing geomorphic and biologic functions and values on backshores and dunes of developed shores: a review of opportunities and constraints

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 May 2011

KARL F. NORDSTROM ,
NANCY L. JACKSON ,
NICHOLAS C. KRAUS ,
TIMOTHY W. KANA ,
RANDY BEARCE ,
LYNN M. BOCAMAZO ,
DONALD R. YOUNG  and
HARRY A. DE BUTTS
KARL F. NORDSTROM*
Affiliation:
Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901–8521, USA
NANCY L. JACKSON
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
NICHOLAS C. KRAUS
Affiliation:
US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory, Vicksburg, MS 39180–6199, USA
TIMOTHY W. KANA
Affiliation:
Coastal Science and Engineering, Columbia SC 29202–8056, USA
RANDY BEARCE
Affiliation:
Coastal and Land Use Compliance and Enforcement, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Trenton, NJ 08625–0420, USA
LYNN M. BOCAMAZO
Affiliation:
US Army Engineer District, New York, 26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY, 10278–0090, USA
DONALD R. YOUNG
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA
HARRY A. DE BUTTS
Affiliation:
Borough of Avalon, Avalon, NJ, 08202, USA
*
*Correspondence: Professor Karl F. Nordstrom Tel: +1 732 932 6555 ext. 502 Fax: +1 732 932 8578 e-mail: nordstro@marine.rutgers.edu
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Summary

This article identifies ways to overcome impediments to restoring natural features on developed shores where human-use functions are the dominant driving forces. Suggestions are made for (1) incorporating natural features and natural dynamism into beach nourishment projects; (2) addressing constraints in size and space; (3) reducing the impact of human actions and elements in the landscape; (4) integrating endangered species programmes; (5) overcoming impediments to implementing restoration projects; (6) conducting post-construction evaluations and actions; (7) obtaining public support; and (8) addressing regulatory issues. Beach nourishment projects can better mimic natural landforms, while protecting infrastructure and habitat, creating space for dunes, and providing sediment for dune building. Dunes can have more value as habitat if sub-environments representative of natural gradients are accommodated. Greater human effort will be required to maintain both dynamic and stable zones for habitat, and these zones may be restricted to smaller scales. Controls can be placed on human actions, such as raking the beach, driving on the beach, walking through the dune, emplacing more structures than necessary and introducing exotic vegetation for landscaping. Regulatory restrictions that now prevent environmentally friendly actions can be eased, and adaptive management and education programmes can be implemented.

Keywords

Beach nourishmentcoastal erosiondunesenvironmental regulationsrestorationshore protection
Type
Papers
Information
Environmental Conservation , Volume 38 , Issue 3 , September 2011 , pp. 288 - 302
Copyright
Copyright © Foundation for Environmental Conservation 2011

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