Coastal Sand Dunes

 

Coastal sand dunes are formed from sand blown inland from onshore winds, trapped by debris or plants above the high tide mark. The collection of sand then allows specialised dune grasses to establish that stabilise the dune to allow further growth. Over time, hills and ridges of sand and plants are formed. 

Sand dunes allow a rich biodiversity to bloom, as the diverse species of plants that grow within them provide food and shelter for wildlife. Not only being biodiversity hotspots, they also provide important protection as the natural barrier can help reduce flooding and coastal erosion. 

Camber Sands, East Sussex, Credit: Matt Gibson, Shutterstock

Sand Lizard, Credit: Chris Lawrence 

Protecting sand dunes is essential due to having a large positive environmental impact. However, they are threatened by several natural and human processes, for example hard sea defences, in place on beaches to reduce coastal erosion, can reduce the amount of new sand available for the dunes. Significantly interrupting the natural processes that create dunes leads to the mass loss of species and habitats of the local environment.

Concepts of Science Communication 

Sand Dunes and the Value-Action Gap - A Radio Piece, by Jessica Webber

References:

Molinari, E., Morley, N. and King, S. (n.d.). Designing for sustainable outcomes to close the Value-Action Gap.

Portus, R., Aarnio-Linnanvuori, E., Dillon, B., Fahy, F., Gopinath, D., Mansikka-Aho, A., Williams, S.-J., Reilly, K. and McEwen, L. (2024). Exploring environmental value action gap and education research: a semi-systematic literature review. Environmental education research, pp.1–31.

The Value-Action Gap

‘Sand Dunes and the Value-Action Gap - A Radio Piece’ discusses the individual negative impacts we have on coastal sand dunes as humans. The piece considers the impacts of the value-action gap, a science communication concept, has on the progression of positive environmental change. The value-action gap highlights the disconnect between an individual’s stated values and their actual actions. As science continues to demonstrate the need for environmental conservation and change, progress taken to create these changes are lacking. Both on a larger and personal scale. In this piece, I discuss the personal scale of this concept, with the example of littering and how that affects the ecosystems of beaches and sand dunes. Littering being a known major impact that us humans cause on the environment, still occurs. The techniques and methods taken to bridge the gap between actions and values must work by changing the current methods that are in place, such as raising awareness, as it is not working and over-saturating the key information that is trying to be communicated to overcome the impact.