Skip to main content

Human Occupation, Use and Abuse

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
  • 1853 Accesses

Part of the book series: Coastal Research Library ((COASTALRL,volume 4))

Abstract

Occupation of sand dunes dates back many thousand years. This chapter provides a summary of the history of human occupation from Mesolithic Times to the present. It considers the way human activities have modified or destroyed the surface of the, sometimes extensive dune fields (Sects. 2.1 and 2.5). It describes the indirect impact these may have on the beach/foredune together with the implications of sediment depletion (Sect. 2.6). The cumulative nature of these developments helps identify a ‘sand dune squeeze’ (Sects. 2.7 and 2.8).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    Afforestation is a term usually used to describe tree plantations on land not formerly forested. As it is not always clear if the sand dunes were previously tree-covered or not, this term is used here for any planting designed to prevent or restrict sand mobility.

References

  • Anon (2001) Tourism 2020 vision – global forecast and profiles of market segments, vol 7. World Tourism Organisation, Madrid, 139 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Baeyens G, Martínez ML (2004) Dune animals: from exploitation to protection. In: Martinez ML, Psuty N (eds) Coastal dunes, ecology and conservation, vol 171, Ecological studies. Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg, pp 279–296

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailey G, Milner N (2002/2003) Coastal hunter-gatherers and social evolution: marginal or central? Before Farm 4/1:1–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonte D, Baert L, Maelfait J-P (2002) Spider assemblage structure and stability in a heterogenous coastal dune system (Belgium). J Arachnol 30(2):331–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bramwell B (ed) (2004) Coastal mass tourism: diversification and sustainable development in Southern Europe. Channel View Publications, Clevedon, 300 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Carey AE, Oliver FW (1918) Tidal lands, a study in shore problems. Blackie and Son, London, 284 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter RWG, Eastwood DA, Bradshaw P (1992) Small scale sediment removal from beaches in Northern Ireland: environmental impact, community perception and conservation management. Aquat Conserv: Mar FreshwEcosyst 2(1):95–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Catto N (2002) Anthropogenic pressures on coastal dunes, Southwestern Newfoundland. Can Geogr 46:17–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coles JM (1964) New aspects of Mesolithic settlement of south-west Scotland. Trans Dumfries Galloway Nat Hist Antiqu Soc 12:67–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Corona MG, Vicente AM, Garcia Novo F (1988) Long-term vegetation changes on the stabilized dunes of Doñana National Park (SW Spain). Plant Ecol 75(1–2):73–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Danielsen R (2008) Palaeoecologial development of the Quiaios–Mira dunes, northern-central littoral Portugal. Rev Palaeobot Palynol 152(1–2):74–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davenport J, Davenport JL (2006) The impact of tourism and personal leisure transport on coastal environments: a review. Estuar, Coast Shelf Sci 67(1–2):280–292

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deresea C, Vandenberghea D, Eggermontb N, Bastiaensb J, Annaertb R, Van den haute P (2010) A medieval settlement caught in the sand: optical dating of sand-drifting at Pulle (N Belgium). Quat Geochronol 5(2–3):336–341

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doody JP (1995) Infrastructure development and other human influences on the coastline of Europe. In: Salman AHPM, Berends H, Bonazountas M (eds) Coastal Management and Habitat Conservation. Proceedings of the 4th EUCC Congress, Marathon, Greece, Vol. 1 EUCC, Leiden, Netherlands pp 133–152

    Google Scholar 

  • El Banna MM (2004) Nature and human impact on Nile Delta coastal sand dunes, Egypt. Environ Geol 45(5):690–695

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fabbri P (1997) Tourism, recreation and coastal dunes of the Mediterranean. In: Drees JM (ed) Coastal dunes, recreation and planning. EUCC, Leiden, pp 18–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Favennec J (1998) The dunes of the Atlantic coast of France, typology and management. In: Ovesen CH (ed) Coastal dunes, management, protection and research, report from a European seminar, Skagen, Denmark. National Forest and Nature Agency, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Copenhagen, pp 130–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Feilberg A, Jensen F (1992) Management and conservation of sand dunes in Denmark. In: Carter RWG, Curtis TGF, Sheehy-Skeffington MJ (eds) Coastal dunes: geomorphology, ecology and management, proceedings of the third European Dune Congress, Galway, Ireland, 17–21 June 1992. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 429–437

    Google Scholar 

  • Gadgil RL (1971) The nutritional role of Lupinus arboreus in coastal sand dune forestry. Plant Soil 35:113–126

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia Novo F (1997) The ecosystems of Doñana National Park (southwest Spain). In: Garcia Novo F, Crawford RMM, Diaz Barradus CD (eds) The ecology and conservation of European dunes. Universidad de Sevilla, Savilla, pp 149–154

    Google Scholar 

  • Gómez-Pina G, Muñoz-Pérez JJ, Ramírez JL, Ley C (2002) Sand dune management problems and techniques, Spain. J Coast Res, Special issue 36:325–332

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansom JD (2003) Chapter 7: sandy beaches and dunes – GCR site reports Site: Tentsmuir (GCR ID: 1070). In: May VJ, Hansom JD (eds) Coastal geomorphology of Great Britain. GCR, 28, p 2731. Source: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/pdf/gcrdb/GCRsiteaccount1070.pdf. Accessed 27 Nov 2011

  • Hilton M, Macauley U, Henderson R (2000) Inventory of New Zealand’s active dunelands. Sciconserv, 157:30. Source: http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/science-and-technical/sfc157.pdf, which includes a series of 124 detailed distribution maps. Accessed 20 Apr 2011

  • Høgestøl M, Prøsch-Danielsen L (2006) Impulses of agro-pastoralism in the 4th and 3rd millennia BC on the south-western coastal rim of Norway. Environ Archaeol 11(1):19–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Janssen MPJM (ed) (1992) Duinen voor de wind. Een toekomstvisie op het gebruik en het beheer van de Nederlandse duinen als natuurgebied van internationale betekenis. Stichting Duinbehoud. Leiden. Source: http://www.compendiumvoordeleefomgeving.nl/indicatoren/nl1122-Areaalverandering-van-duinbiotopen.html?i=4-26. Accessed 14 Aug 2012

  • Jones CR, Houston JA, Bateman D (1993) A history of human influence on the coastal landscape. In: Atkinson D, Houston J (eds) The sand dunes of the Sefton coast. Proceedings of the Sefton coast research seminar, Liverpool, 31st May 1991. National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside, Liverpool, pp 3–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelemen J (1992) Conservation and management of sand dune areas in the valley of the River Danube. In: Carter RWG, Curtis TGF, Sheehy-Skeffington MJ (eds) Coastal dunes: geomorphology, ecology and management, proceedings of the third European Dune Congress, Galway, Ireland, 17–21 June 1992. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 487–492

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiss T, Sipos G, Bódis K, Barta K (2004) Selection of human influenced fixed sand dunes on the basis of morphometric measurements South Nyírség Region, Hungary. Int J Fieldwork Stud 2(1):1–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Klijn J, Bakker Th (1992) Vijfduizend jaar dieren in de duinen. Duin 15:3–5

    Google Scholar 

  • Knight J, Burningham H (2007) Coastal morphodynamics and prehistoric human occupation, County Donegal, NW Ireland. J Coast Res SI 50, Proceedings of the 9th International Coastal Symposium:104–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Koster EA (2009) The “European aeolian sand belt”: geoconservation of drift sand landscapes. Geoheritage 1(2–4):93–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kvamme M, Kaland PE (2009) Prescribed burning of coastal heathlands in western Norway: history and present day experiences. Int For Fire News 38:35–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Laar J van (1995) Coastal dune afforestation and developments of dune forests during the ninetheenth and twentieth centuries in the Netherlands. In: Caring for the forest: research in a changing world. Abstract 20th IUFRO World Congress, Tampere, Finland, pp 431–432

    Google Scholar 

  • Lanckneus J, Van Lancker V, Moerkerke G, Van Den Eynde D, Fettweis M, De Batist M, Jacobs P (2001) Investigation of natural sand transport on the Belgian continental shelf BUDGET (Beneficial usage of data and geo-environmental techniques). Final report, Federal Office for Scientific, Technical and Cultural Affairs (OSTC), p 104  +  p 87 Annex. Source: http://www.kustatlas.be/en/fysisch_milieu/een_dynamisch_en_broos_milieu/map/?id=3&lan=en. Accessed 20 Apr 2011

  • Lewis D (1992) The sands of time: Cornwall’s Hayle to Gwithian Towans. In: Carter RWG, Curtis TGF, Sheehy-Skeffington MJ (eds) Coastal dunes: geomorphology, ecology and management, proceedings of the third European Dune Congress, Galway, Ireland, 17–21 June 1992. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 463–473

    Google Scholar 

  • Lubke RA, Avis AM, Moll JB (1996) Post-mining rehabilitation of coastal sand dunes in Zululand South Africa. Landsc Urban Plan 34(3–4):335–345

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Markovic M, Satta A, Skaricic Z, Trumbic I (2009) Sustainable coastal tourism/an integrated planning and management approach. United Nations Environment Programme, Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (UNEP-DTIE) “Practical Manuals on Sustainable Tourism” publication series. Source: http://www.unep.org/pdf/DTIE_PDFS/DTIx1091xPA-SustainableCoastalTourism-Planning.pdf. Accessed 02 Nov 2011

  • Martins F (1989) Morphology and management of dunes at Leiria district (Portugal). In: van der Meulen F, Jungerius PD, Visser J (eds) Perspectives in coastal dune management. SPB Academic Publishing, The Hague, pp 81–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Martinez ML, Psuty NP, Lubke RA (2008) A perspective on coastal dunes. In: Martinez ML, Psuty NP (eds) Coastal dunes, ecology and conservation. Ecological Studies Vol 171 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, pp 3–10

    Google Scholar 

  • McKelvey PJ (1999) Sand forests: a historical perspective of the stabilisation and afforestation of coastal sands in New Zealand. Canterbury University Press, Christchurch, 224 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • McManus J (2002) Deltaic responses to changes in river regimes. Mar Chem 79:155–170

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ministry for the Environment (2007) Protecting our places: information about the statement of national priorities for protecting rare and threatened biodiversity on private land. Ministry for the Environment publication ME 805. Source: https://www.biodiversity.govt.nz/pdfs/protecting-our-places-brochure.pdf. Accessed 10 Dec 2010

  • Nordstrom KF (2004) Beaches and dunes of developed coasts. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 352 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Ovington JD (1950) The afforestation of the Culbin sands. J Ecol 38(2):303–319

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ovington JD (1951) The afforestation of Tentsmuir sands. J Ecol 39(2):363–375

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Owen H (1953) Hanes Plwf Niwbwrch ym Mon. Caernarvon

    Google Scholar 

  • Parsons JR, Psuty NP (1975) Sunken fields and prehispanic subsistence on the Peruvian coast. Am Antiq 40(3):259–282

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pilkey OH, Fraser MA (2003) A celebration of the world’s barrier islands. Columbia University Press, New York, 400 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Pilkey OH, Neal WJ, Cooper JAG, Kelley JT (2011) The world’s beaches: a global guide to the science of the shoreline. University of California Press, Berkeley, 283 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Pilon JJ (1988) Kustafslag op Voorne in het verleden. Waterschapsbelangen 73:255–259

    Google Scholar 

  • Piotrowska H (1989) Natural and anthropogenic changes in sand dunes and their vegetation on the southern Baltic coast. In: van der Meulen F, Jungerius PD, Visser JH (eds) Perspectives in coastal dune management. SPB Academic Publishing, The Hague, pp 33–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Povilanskas R, Baghdasarian H, Arakelyan S, Satkunas J, Taminskas J (2009) Secular morpho­dynamic trends of the holocene dune ridge on the Curonian spit (Lithuania/Russia). J Coast Res 25(1):209–215

    Google Scholar 

  • Prøsch-Danielsen L, Selsing L (2011) Aeolian activity during the last 9200 calendar years BP along the southwestern coastal rim of Norway. Nor Geolog Foren. Source: http://www.geologi.no/data/f/0/20/44/0_2401_0/Sandfl_p_Jaeren_2011.pdf. Accessed 01 Nov 2011

  • Provoost S, van Landuyt W (2001) The flora of Flemish coastal dunes (Belgium) in a changing landscape. In: Houston JA, Edmondson SE, Rooney PJ (eds) Coastal dune management, shared experience of European conservation practice. Liverpool University Press, Liverpool, pp 381–401

    Google Scholar 

  • Psuty NP, Ofiara DD (2002) Coastal hazard management – lessons and future directions from New Jersey. Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick, 448 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Pye K, Saye S, Blott S (2007) Sand dune processes and management for flood and coastal defence. Part 1, Project overview and recommendations. DEFRA, R&D technical report, FD1302/TR. Source: http://www.safecoast.org/editor/databank/File/sand%20dune%20processes%20and%20management%20%28overview%29.pdf. Accessed 17 Mar 2010

  • Queensland Government (2011) The North Stradbroke island protection and sustainability act, 14th April 2011. Source: http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/ACTS/2011/11AC011.pdf. Accessed 14 Aug 2012

  • Ranwell DS (1959) Newborough Warren, Anglesey. 1. The dune system and dune slack habitat. J Ecol 47:571–601

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riksen M, Ketner-Oostra R, van Turnhout C, Nijssen M, Goossens D, Jungerius PD, Spaan W (2006) Will we lose the last active inland drift sands of western Europe? The origin and development of the inland drift-sand ecotype in the Netherlands? Landsc Ecol 21(3):431–447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ross S (1992) The Culbin sands – fact and fiction. Centre for Scottish Studies, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, 196 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Runólfsson S (1987) Land reclamation in Iceland. Arct Alp Res 19(4):514–517

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salman AHPM, Strating C (1991) European coastal dunes and their decline since 1900. Internal Report EUCC, Leiden

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanchez-Arcilla A, Jimenez JA, Valdemoro HI (1998) The Ebro delta: morphodynamics and vulnerability. J Coast Res 14:754–772

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz ML (ed) (1973) Barrier islands. Dowden Hutchinson and Ross, Pennsylvania, 451 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Skarregaard P (1989) Stabilisation of coastal dunes in Denmark. In: van der Meulen F, Jungerius PD, Visser J (eds) Perspectives in coastal dune management. SPB Academic Publishing, The Hague, pp 161–181

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith PH (1999) The sands of time – an introduction to the sand dunes of the Sefton coast. National Museum and Galleries on Merseyside, Liverpool, 196 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Stancheva M, Ratas U, Orviku K, Palazov A, Rivis R, Kont A, Peychev V, Tõnisson H, Stanchev H (2011) Sand dune destruction due to increased human impacts along the Bulgarian Black Sea and Estonian Baltic Sea coasts. J Coast Res 64:324–328

    Google Scholar 

  • Stauble DK (ed) (1989) Barrier islands: process and management. American Society of Civil Engineers, New York, 324 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Tekke RMH, Salman AHPM (1995) Coastal woodlands, forestry and conservation along the Atlantic and North Sea shores. In: Salman AHPM, Berends H, Bonazountas M (eds) Coastal management and habitat conservation, proceedings of the 4th EUCC congress, Marathon, Greece, April, 1993. EUCC, Leiden, pp 395–409

    Google Scholar 

  • Thornton EB, Sallenger A, Conforto Sesto J, Egley L, McGeee T, Parsons R (2006) Sand mining impacts on long-term dune erosion in southern Monterey Bay. Mar Geol 229(1–2):45–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tzatzanis M, Wrbka T (2002) Sun beds vs. sand dunes: a conservation – tourism conflict. In: Brebbia CA (ed) Coastal environment environmental problems in coastal regions IV, vol 8, Environmental studies. Boston WIT Press, Southampton, pp 25–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Uslu T (1995) Coastal dune afforestation policy in Turkey: environmental aspects. In: Salman AHPM, Berends H, Bonazountas M (eds) Coastal management and habitat conservation, proceedings of the 4th EUCC congress, Marathon, Greece, April, 1993. EUCC, Leiden, pp 113–118

    Google Scholar 

  • van der Meulen F, Salman AHPM (1996) Management of Mediterranean coastal dunes. Ocean Coast Manag 30(2–3):77–195

    Google Scholar 

  • Vogiatzakis IN, Pungetti G, Mannion AM (eds) (2008) Mediterranean island landscapes. Natural and cultural approaches, vol 9, Landscape series. Springer, Dordrecht, 372 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Vörösmarty CV, Meybeck M, Fekete B, Sharma K, Green P, Syvitski J (2003) Anthropogenic sediment retention: major global impact from registered river impoundments. Glob Planet Change 39:169–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker HJ, Coleman JM (1987) Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Province. In: Graf WL (ed) Geomorphic systems of North America. Geological Society of America, Boulder, pp 51–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Walrond C (2007) Dune lands, Te Ara – the encyclopaedia of New Zealand, Updated 25 Sept 2011. Source: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/TheBush/Landscapes/DuneLands/en. Accessed 16 Jan 2012

  • Whittington G (1996) Landuse of Tentsmuir: a history of diverse activities. In: Whittington G (ed) Fragile environments: the use and management of Tentsmuir NNR, Fife. Scottish Cultural Press, Edinburgh, pp 16–25

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Doody, J.P. (2013). Human Occupation, Use and Abuse. In: Sand Dune Conservation, Management and Restoration. Coastal Research Library, vol 4. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4731-9_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics