Vertical growth rate of planted vegetation controls dune growth on a sandy beach

Abstract

The integration of coastal dunes planted with vegetation and dikes combines traditional infrastructure with dynamic aeolian sediment and ecological processes to enhance coastal resilience. The functioning of such dune-dike hybrid Nature-based Solution strongly depends on aeolian sediment transport and the vertical growth rate of vegetation. We used the AeoLiS numerical model to investigate the relative importance of aeolian and vegetation dynamics in the evolution of a 120 m long and 20 m wide marram grass-planted dune field on a Belgian sandy beach backed by a seawall, constructed in 2021. AeoLiS proved to be a promising tool for predicting these systems, effectively capturing aeolian sediment deposition, vegetation growth, and profile development three years post-construction. Seasonal variations in vegetation trapping efficiency, driven by sediment burial, and seasonal plant growth emerged as important factors controlling dune growth. Profile development discrepancies were attributed to unaccounted biotic and abiotic factors, highlighting the complexity of coastal eco-geomorphological processes. Dunes planted with vegetation wider than 20 m were identified to enhance sediment trapping without an increase in dune height. These findings offer actionable insights for coastal management, promoting strategic dune design and planting approaches to reinforce shoreline resilience. Additionally, the findings underscore the necessity for advancing eco-morphodynamic models and deepening our knowledge of coastal dune dynamics.