Kenneth Pye
Associates
Ltd.
Scientific Research,
Consultancy and Investigations
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..
Management of sand dunes within the context of coastal erosion and flood risk
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Abstract Pye, K. and Blott, S.J. (2008) Management of sand dunes within the context of coastal erosion and flood risk. Flood and Coastal Management 2008, Manchester, 2-4 July 2008, Environment Agency, Bristol, 12 pp. Sand dune systems are important as natural or semi-natural flood defences in several parts of England and Wales. They are also of high conservation and recreational value and management strategies developed for flood risk management must take account of other 'user' interests. Current and future dune management strategies must also recognise the possible impacts of climate change and sea level rise. This paper provides an overview of recent and ongoing studies aimed at obtaining a better understanding of sand dune processes, the medium to long-term responses of dune systems to natural and anthropogenic forcing factors, the options available for future management strategies which meet the requirements of coastal erosion and flood risk management within a wider context. Future changes in climate and sea level, together with changing attitudes to coast protection and habitat conservation, provide significant opportunities to increase the dynamism and thereby enhance the natural geomorphological and biodiversity interest of dune systems. However, where dune systems form an important part of the flood protection for areas of high asset value, the integrity of dune systems will need to be enhanced in situ through an appropriate combination of measures designed also to maintain or enhance complementary recreational and conservation interests |
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