{"id":4578,"date":"2021-02-24T21:13:31","date_gmt":"2021-02-24T21:13:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.superiorgroundcover.com\/?p=4578"},"modified":"2024-12-16T22:12:09","modified_gmt":"2024-12-16T22:12:09","slug":"dune-restoration-how-dunes-prevent-beach-erosion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.superiorgroundcover.com\/dune-restoration-how-dunes-prevent-beach-erosion\/","title":{"rendered":"Dune Restoration 101: How Dunes Prevent Beach Erosion"},"content":{"rendered":"

What Is Dune Restoration? Why Is It Necessary?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Michigan’s nearly <\/span>3,300 miles of shoreline<\/span><\/a> are home to roughly 275,000 acres of sand dunes. These coastal sand dunes have been formed by the wind over thousands of years. They play an important role in the ecosystem of the coast as well as the environmental diversity of the nation. The Great Lakes sand dunes are home to many plants and animals not found anywhere else.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dunes are naturally dynamic, which means that their sands shift in response to storms, waves, and winds. However, this ability to shift and adapt makes the dunes even easier targets for the forces of <\/span>erosion<\/span><\/a>. Invasive species and human activity, including tourism, sand mining, and land development, can accelerate natural erosion and quickly devastate the coastal environment. <\/span><\/p>\n

The sand dunes in the Great Lakes State are the largest collection of freshwater sand dunes in the world. Dune restoration protects these natural wonders and stabilizes the coastal environment, restoring both the ecological and economic value of the dunes. At Superior Groundcover, our <\/span>sand delivery and installation services<\/span><\/a> play a vital role in sand dune restoration.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"erosion<\/p>\n

5 Causes of Erosion on the Great Lakes<\/span><\/h3>\n

Erosion can threaten our beaches, homes, businesses, and way of life along the lakeshore. However, it’s important to remember that some amount of erosion is natural. Our Great Lakes dunes are not static; they are a dynamic environment responding to the push and pull of the wind and water.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, there are certain causes of erosion that go beyond what’s natural. These factors contribute to a rate of erosion that is damaging to the lakes, dunes, coast, and the surrounding area. Such causes include:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Invasive species: <\/b>Plants and animals not native to the Great Lakes region can wreak havoc on our dunes. <\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Sand mining: <\/b>Sand plays a critical role in the process of fracking. It’s also used to make <\/span>glass<\/span><\/a>, fiberglass, and other products. Sand mining greatly damages the dunes.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Tourism: <\/b>Human activity can accelerate the rate of erosion on sand dunes. Beachgoers may not think twice about walking off the trail or taking beautiful flowers or plants home with them. However, these seemingly small choices can result in big problems for the stability of the dunes.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Land development: <\/b>Building your home or place of business along the coast can contribute to erosion. Make sure to follow all environmental regulations when building along the beach to protect both the environment and the stability of your home.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Climate change: <\/b>Human-driven climate change is causing water levels to rise, which contributes to accelerated erosion along the lakes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    How to Prevent Sand Dune Erosion<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Preventing sand dune erosion is always easier than restoring what’s been lost. If you live near a sand dune along the lake, here are two simple ways to protect the coast:<\/span><\/p>\n