2.3 Attributes of coastal dunes
Coastal dunes have other important qualities and attributes beyond their role as a natural form of coast protection. These can briefly be summarised as follows:
- Dunes provide a range of important habitats, often with abundant species of flowers, insects and other wildlife (Plate 11). For this reason, many areas of dunes are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest or are Local Nature Reserves. Even non-designated dune areas will be locally important havens for wildlife.
Plate 11 Dune systems support distinctive plant communities. The calcareous soils of the machair, especially, encourage the growth of rich and diverse grasslands. N Uist.
- Dunes also have considerable value from the viewpoint of geomorphology, showing how coastal landformsevolve under the action of natural processes (waves, tides and wind) (Plate 12).
Plate 12 Dune systems may be of conservation importance because of the exceptional landforms which they contain. Forvie.
Plate 13 Scotland’s golf links are renowned world-wide. Scarista, Harris.
- Many areas of dunes are used for golf courses that are often of considerable commercial and cultural value (Plate 13).
- Dunes are popular areas for informal recreation and hence they indirectly generate revenue for the local economy (Plate 14).
Plate 14 Dunes are popular areas for informal recreation. St Cyrus.
- Although generally of low agricultural value, dunes are sometimes used for rough grazing, and in some areas form the seaward edge of important lowland areas (particularly the machair in the north west of Scotland) where traditional agriculture continues.
- Some dune areas have also been developed for commercial, industrial and other purposes, with the seaward remnants of the dunes thus becoming even more important as a coastal protection. Examples include chemical works, airfields and military bases.
These various attributes mean that different people and organisations have different perspectives on dune management. When contemplating management activities it is important to bear these views in mind.